Why the Rebirth of “Local” is Good for Commerce, Community and Common Sense

It goes without saying that the COVID-19 pandemic has changed so much of the world, and the effects of it will continue to be in conversations in the years to come. In an edition of “Reinventing Normal,” host Mark Landini talked with senior features editor for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Barbara Thau, about the state of business and the reinvention of local.

Because so much business and the culture surrounding it has drastically shifted, the future of it has been left up to the consumer. This consumer-driven trend has changed the way big and small businesses operate, the real estate market, and even office culture. Thau stated that the restrictions of quarantining and remote work redirected a lot of consumers back to the local businesses and created a newfound reliance on them.

“The people who literally had to quarantine in their neighborhoods, we’ve seen that behavior – the local behavior, the community, and the local stores becoming their haven – become their habits, their routine,” said Thau.

Thau said that despite most stores reopening back to normal and pre-pandemic store hours, that hasn’t changed the trend of the patronization of local businesses. She stated that over 56 percent of consumers are shopping and supporting locally, and 86 percent say they’ll continue to do so.

Remote working has also played a role in the change. With the majority of workers still not back in the office, the real estate market for office spaces demonstrated another change, and everyday people are actively contributing to that even if they’re working fully remote or through the hybrid market.

But Landini contends the social nature of humans might drive back the trend to the offices as people might not be able to seek the same type of community in their neighborhoods, as they would in the office.

But perhaps not. Even big corporations like Walmart and Amazon have already reinvented and adapted to the demand for all-things local by hopping on to the momentum. Thau said that this showcases how much the trend has shifted to local.

“This is important and I don’t know if it’s gonna continue, but I’m just saying that these are indicators of how people are shopping,” said Thau.

And startups are not too far behind either.

Still, Landini discussed the physical aspect of life and how that will always have an effect on what’s to come. Thau agreed and added that businesses such as bookstores, that have long taken a hit, saw a resurgence during the pandemic.

More Stories Like This

Do Department Stores Have a Future?

How American Eagle Outfitters Went by Acquisitions to Fill Logistics Gaps

Follow us on social media for the latest updates in B2B!

Image

Latest

influencer partnerships
Moving Beyond Social Media Buzz: How Authentic Content & Long-Term Influencer Partnerships Can Drive Hotel ROI
July 30, 2025

Influencer marketing is rapidly changing, and many hotels are still figuring out how to tap into its full potential. As travelers demand more authentic and relatable content, the pressure is on for hotels to adapt their marketing strategies. But with skepticism around the true ROI of influencer partnerships, it’s more important than ever for brands…

Read More
workforce
Building a Future-Ready Workforce: With Traditional Training Models Failing, It’s Time for Employers and Educators to Build Solutions Together
July 30, 2025

In an era where the average job tenure in the U.S. hovers under four years and industries are evolving faster than academic curricula can keep up, the need for a new approach to workforce development has never been more urgent. Companies like Amazon and McDonald’s are responding by investing in “education as a benefit”…

Read More
belief
Learning Out Loud with Belief, Courage, and the Power of Yes
July 30, 2025

In a world where workplace disengagement is on the rise, with global employee engagement falling to just 21% in 2024, leaders and teams are increasingly seeking meaning, connection, and growth in their work. Amid this shift, professionals are asking deeper questions about purpose and fulfillment, both individually and collectively. That’s exactly where Paul Plamondon’s…

Read More
professional advancement
The Measured Mindset: How Mentorship, Curiosity, and Listening Drive Professional Advancement and Growth
July 29, 2025

Not every path into analytics starts with code and spreadsheets. For some, it begins with curiosity, adaptability, mentorship, and a willingness to learn something entirely new. That’s the case for Mayank Malviya, whose journey from a humanities education in India to a career in U.S.-based market research reveals how initiative and mentorship can accelerate…

Read More