Reps Are Local Too!

Independent retail needs everyone’s help. It’s inspiring to see that supporting Main Street has become a rallying cry via the “Shop Local” movement aimed at consumers. But who else has an important role to play in supporting many of the 4.6 million retail establishments in the U.S.? Local sales reps. Often running their businesses from their kitchen tables, sales reps go the extra mile to meet the needs of retailers and their local shoppers — learning customer preferences, introducing unique products, and truly listening to consumer needs. Sales reps are the often-overlooked lifeline of their communities, working hard to fill stores with new products and helping create local revenue so that every Main Street may thrive. Communities don’t directly benefit from online shopping, but they benefit in countless ways from the loyal work of local sales reps. So let’s embrace our local sales reps — the unsung heroes of independent retail.