BuyMichiganProducts.com, currently being featured in local media, ain’t pretty; it looks like an amateur put it together. The guy running it is simply trying to make a difference—to get people thinking about what they’re buying. His challenge to consumers is to spend $20 a week on Michigan products. Companies can get listed for free or spend $49 per year for premier listings/links/articles. One user stated, “This challenge has really got me thinking about what products I buy, where they come from ….” You gotta believe that advocate is telling others, and developing loyalties in the process.
Will this level of emotional investment remain when the economy improves? A brand would be smart to bet that it will, and for $49, it seems like a bet worth taking.
I am curious to see whether this will be easy or difficult for people! With the ubiquity of imported products on the market place, I know it wouldn’t be easy for me to spend $20 a week on New York products (unless it was something like take-out).
Lois:
Are you seeing any companies tout “Made In NY” in the city? I imagine that locally grown organic foods are very hot there.
You’re right about local, organic fare being popular in the City.
In my view, when it comes to ‘made-in-NY’ offerings the most prized products are food (like the local produce sold at the Union Square Market) and art (whether it’s jewelery, fashion or photography).
And in the instance of retail, even if a store doesn’t sell locally source products, it still “feels” local because it is being curated by New Yorkers. Take for example Brooklyn Industries: their stuff aspires to impart an urban Brooklyn vibe while (not surprisingly) much of it is made elsewhere.