In our view, Nov. 28: Shop Close to Home

Now that Thanksgiving dinner is reduced to leftovers, it’s time to go shopping. Or will the traditional mad rush be observed in its usual form this year?

With all of the bad economic news that’s been showered upon Americans this year, the International Council of Shopping Centers is predicting less than 2 percent sales growth this season. Perhaps some merchants would privately welcome even that meager result. After all, U.S. retail sales fell 2.8 percent in October, and surveys show consumer confidence is dismal.

For most adults, it doesn’t seem like the economic news has ever been this glum.

Surely this is not the year to max out the charge cards. But it’s not necessarily the time to close the wallet, either. Consumer spending — not the stock market or business in general or the government — is what really drives our economy. Parsimony now will lead to more pain later. Need proof? Just ask the Japanese, where a decade of economic malaise resulted after their financial bubble burst and consumers just quit spending.

And make no mistake, a lot of money is at stake, both nationally and on the local scene. Last year, Clark County’s retail trade totaled $561.8 million in the fourth quarter.

We’re on the verge of reforming the long-held habit of evading sales taxes by shopping in Oregon. The past few years have seen incredible retail growth in Clark County. Big-box stores stuffed with electronics and other goodies have tempted us to shop on this side of the river. Westfield Vancouver mall is still chock full of stores, and newer shopping hubs in Battle Ground, Hazel Dell and east Vancouver tempt us to shop nearer to where we live.

This year, though, our retail sector has become vulnerable. Alas, this new retail bonanza is already showing cracks. Hazel Dell’s Best Buy electronics store closed recently, though another remains near Southeast 164th Avenue and Mill Plain Boulevard. Another store — Steve & Barry’s — will be liquidating here and nationally. There are a lot of empty storefronts, many of which have never been occupied.

Here’s a good principle to keep in mind for your holiday shopping season, especially if you’re interested in strengthening your community: Buying locally is a good thing, in many ways.

n First of all, shopping here at home drives up local tax collections, which puts more money into our schools, roads and parks. The best way to improve those vital components in the local quality of life is to keep that revenue stream open. We can debate the tax system until we’re all blue in the face, but for now, it’s the only tax system we’ve got, and it’s not the fault of schools, roads and parks that they’ve become dependent upon that system.

n Buying locally reduces demand on our freeways and bridges. If you think traffic congestion is a problem — and it certainly is the closer you get to downtown Portland — then one way to fight back is to refuse to participate in the mad rush.

n Shopping local is a lot greener approach. It’s much better to drive (or walk or bike) to a store near home rather than to drive to some distant shopping center. While loading up on Christmas presents, you can help hold down carbon emissions by reducing your travel to the stores.

n And here’s your contribution to a one of your community’s greatest needs: Shopping locally helps create jobs.

Consumers will determine what happens next. It’s not socially responsible to spend money wildly. But it is responsible to consider the consequences of holiday shopping. This year, more than ever, we need to think about what we buy and where we buy it.