The economic impact of shopping local

Updated June 12, 2026 · Good Circles

When you buy from independent local businesses, a larger share of each dollar recirculates in your community — through local wages, local suppliers, and local taxes — than when you buy from a national chain. Good Circles is built to keep even more of it local, while saving you about 10%.

The local multiplier

Studies of local spending generally find that independent businesses recirculate more of each dollar within their community than national chains do, because they’re more likely to use local suppliers, services, and staff. Shift some spending local and that effect compounds across a whole town over a year.

Where chain dollars go

At a national chain or big app, most of your dollar leaves the moment you pay — heading to distant suppliers, corporate overhead, and shareholders. Little of it loops back into the place you live.

Keeping more of it home

Good Circles is designed to maximize what stays local: you save about 10%, the local business keeps 89% of its profit, and 10% of that profit funds a local nonprofit. Why shopping local matters »

Keep more of every dollar in your community

Shop local, save about 10%, and fund a local cause — automatically.

For shoppers

FAQ

Why does shopping local help the economy?

Independent local businesses tend to recirculate more of each dollar in the community — through local wages, suppliers, and taxes — so shifting spending local strengthens the local economy.

How does Good Circles keep more money local?

You save about 10%, the local business keeps 89% of its profit on a 1% fee, and 10% of that profit funds a local nonprofit you choose — so more of every dollar stays in your community.