This is not an easy ask of friends and family, but it matters
With so much at stake this holiday season we should all be shopping as if jobs, livelihoods and even our downtowns depend on it. Because they do. Here’s one way you can help: Avoid the temptation to turn to Amazon for your holiday shopping and shop locally.
Greg Reibman
.png)
Needham Holiday Spirit Contest
In an effort to increase attention and support of small businesses throughout Needham this holiday season, the Needham Business Alliance has organized a “Holiday Spirit Contest” for Needham businesses taking place from December 10-17
Charles River Chamber Needham Business Alliance
Why I don't like Small Business Saturday
This Saturday is Small Business Saturday -- a day when consumers will be reminded to show their support for independent merchants in our downtowns, village centers, and commercial districts. Here’s hoping it’s a record-breaker for all our local retailers. But I’ve never been a big fan of Small Business Saturday.
Greg Reibman
Inflation may take some ho-ho out of the holidays
Massachusetts retailers are forecasting a 10% increase in sales this holiday season. Sounds great until you factor in an 8% inflation rate, leaving “little margin for error or increased profitability” according to Retailers Association of Massachusetts President Jon Hurst. The prediction, based on a survey of RAM members, contrasts with a forecast calling for a 6 to 8 % increase in holiday sales nationally, writes Michael P. Norton at State House News.
Greg Reibman
Best employee transfer story ever
Last year at this time, Olena Reshetnyak was manager of a Marc Cain store in Kharkiv, a city of 1.4 million on the Ukrainian peninsula of Crimea. When the Russian attack on Ukraine began, Reshetnyak, like so many others, fled her country with her children. (Her husband, Michael, has been unable to leave permanently because of Ukraine’s wartime policy requiring most men to serve in the military or other capacities).
Greg Reibman
Today is not 'Election Day'
It’s midterms Election Day. Or more accurately, it’s Election Deadline Day, the last day of Election Month, since voting in many states began weeks ago. Here in Massachusetts, Election Month voting ends when the polls close at 8 p.m. So get out there, if you haven't voted yet.
Greg Reibman
Reasons to be cheerful, one, two, three
“The economy -- notwithstanding the terrible headlines, inflation, interest rates, Ukraine, all the things you know -- is in better shape than you think.” That’s how economist and real estate guru Spencer Levy began his talk with our chamber yesterday. Levy -- who's with the world’s largest commercial real estate services firm CBRE -- spent the next hour painting a refreshing, mostly optimistic, view (rooted in strong growth trends and low unemployment) that was, frankly nice to hear amidst all the ongoing
Greg Reibman
That thing actually, finally, happened.
Ninety-five days after it was due, lawmakers announced yesterday that they had reached an agreement on a $3.8 billion bill that could be on Gov. Charlie Baker's desk by the end of today. The bill includes many things businesses and nonprofits across many sectors have been urgently waiting for, including funds to support small businesses, workforce development, housing, climate resilience, EV rebates, MBTA safety, broadband access, public parks, and conservation land.
Greg Reibman
Time for some trash talk
Most of us try and do the right thing by recycling water bottles, take-out containers, and other plastic packaging. And in Newton, Watertown, and other communities, many of our restaurants have scrambled to find (costly) white or clear plastic takeout containers after residents were told (less expensive) black plastic containers can’t be recycled. But turns out that the majority of the plastic we put into recycling bins ends up in landfills, according to a report from Greenpeace.
Greg Reibman
