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Retailers, Producers and General Public Invited to 2nd Annual PA Wilds Made Buyer’s Market March 3, 2018
January 17, 2018
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The second annual PA Wilds Buyer’s Market will be held on March 3, 2018 at the Gemmell Student Complex, Multi-Purpose Room, Clarion University. The one-day tradeshow connects retail establishments with quality wares, gifts, foods and beverages crafted in the Pennsylvania Wilds. PA Wilds Made products can be purchased in bulk at wholesale pricing for qualified buyers.
Hosted by the PA Wilds Center and the Wilds Cooperative of Pennsylvania (WCO), in partnership with the Small Business Development Center, Clarion University, the Buyer’s Market is a “made local, sell local” themed event.
“Customers are looking for locally made, high quality products – this show gives retailers and businesses the opportunity to meet producers creating high value products right here in the Pennsylvania Wilds.” Abbi Peters, Managing Director, PA Wilds Center, overseeing the Wilds Cooperative. The tradeshow format allows buyers to browse product offerings and make purchase selections on the spot if desired.
The show is open exclusively to retailers from 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM Noon for wholesale buying (registration is required). A free public showcase will be held from 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM (no registration required).
Retail and small business statistics support the shop local movement for rural communities in the Pennsylvania Wilds. According to the research firm Civic Economics and the American Independent Business Alliance, on average 48% of each purchase at local independent businesses was recirculated locally, compared to less than 14% of purchases at chain stores. The Wall Street Journal has reported that the number one tactic for big retailers like Macy’s, West Elm, Whole Foods and Nordstrom to help them stand apart from their competition is to carry local artisan goods and rare global products. The Andersonville Study of Retail Economics found that local business generates 70 percent more local economic activity per square foot than big box retail.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND:
RETAILERS – Wilds Cooperative Trading Posts, retailers, gift shops and other small businesses interested in carrying locally made products from the Pennsylvania Wilds. The market will be open exclusively to buyers from 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM Noon, allowing for one-on-one time to review product lines and meet the makers. Retailers can also learn about joining the Wilds Cooperative (WCO) as Trading Posts.
SHOPPERS – Members of the general public can attend for free and purchase goods crafted in the PA Wilds from 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM.
PRODUCERS – Producers in the PA Wilds making art, wares, gift items, food and beverage that want to sell their goods to retail outlets. Producer exhibitors must be members of the Wilds Cooperative of Pennsylvania. If you are not a member, producers can apply for membership to The Wilds Cooperative first.
Abbi Peters continued, “The Buyer’s Market is where we determine the lines we will be carrying in the PA Wilds Conservation Gift Shops; last year we spent $80,000 on inventory from PA Wilds producers and we are gearing up to grow that number. It’s a great investment, and we see a return in our sales as our shoppers look to take home a piece of the PA Wilds.”
Learn more:
About: The Wilds Cooperative of Pennsylvania (WCO) is proud to be building an entrepreneurial ecosystem in the Pennsylvania Wilds. The aim of the WCO is to help our creative makers and businesses network, learn from each other, and bring products to market that reflect our region’s natural beauty, bounty and rural traditions while giving an economic boost to our communities.
The Wilds Cooperative of Pennsylvania is a program of the PA Wilds Center for Entrepreneurship, a regional non-profit, serving the counties of Warren, Forest, Elk, Potter, McKean, Tioga, Clinton, Lycoming, Clearfield, Jefferson, Cameron, Clarion and Northern Centre.
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