Running for Congress on an Anti-Monopoly Platform (Episode 53)
Host Stacy Mitchell is joined by Austin Frerick, former Iowa congressional candidate, to discuss election campaigns that focus on challenging concentrated power. … Read More
Amazon: Action Tools for Independent Office Products Dealers
This is a resource page tailored to independent office product dealers interested in exploring and understanding the impacts Amazon has on local procurement and ultimately on their business and sector.… Read More
Want to Strengthen Independent Businesses? Use These Policies (Episode 51)
Host Nick Stumo-Langer is joined by researchers Stacy Mitchell and Olivia LaVecchia to discuss their new guide to policy tools that strengthen independent businesses. … Read More
In Boston, City Council Members Introduce Proposal to Regulate Chain Stores
Boston is the latest city to introduce a formula business proposal, which would make national chains a conditional use throughout the city. … Read More
In Book Review for Washington Monthly, Stacy Mitchell on “The Truth About Big Business”
In the July-August issue of “Washington Monthly” magazine, ILSR’s Stacy Mitchell rebuts a new book’s claims that the monopolization of the U.S. economy is a good thing. As she does so, Stacy also mounts a vigorous counter-argument, explaining how economic policy has tilted the playing field in favor of bigness, but how small businesses perform critical functions that big businesses can’t.… Read More
Why Care about Independent, Locally Owned Businesses?
Here are five important reasons for local officials to support independent businesses, based on a growing body of research.… Read More
Local Policy Matters: How to Grow Independent Businesses in Your City
This toolkit offers independent business owners concrete tips for engaging with their city officials and advocating for policies that strengthen and grow local businesses. The featured policy platform outlines policies local governments can use with on-the-ground stories of communities that have implemented these policies to support independent businesses.… Read More
Report: Amazon’s Next Frontier: Your City’s Purchasing
A national contract opens the way for Amazon to take over billions of dollars in local government spending. In this report, we examine the contract and find serious concerns — including that it leaves local governments at risk of being ripped off, and sets Amazon up to expand its monopoly power. … Read More
As Amazon Moves to Capture Local Government Spending, Here’s What You Can Do
A recent contract opens the way for billions of dollars in local government spending to shift to Amazon. The good news is that, for concerned citizens and public officials, Amazon’s push into the public sector offers a way to take action at the local level and start a concrete conversation about Amazon’s power and what we should do about it. In this fact sheet, we outline three strategies to use to take action.… Read More