NEW YORK—In addition to marking the country’s independence, this month is also Independent Retailer Month. A campaign which started in 2011, the effort has evolved to a global initiative, and the month-long celebration encourages consumers to shop local and support indie retailers. The website itself is a rich resource, full of info, statistics and images that help independent retailers of all types promote their unique and distinctive store environments. Anyone can follow @INDIERETAILERMONTH @IndieRetailerMonth on Instagram to celebrate #indieretail.

According to the organization’s website, which is loaded with helpful facts and figures, if every family in the U.S. spent an extra $10 a month at a locally owned, independent business instead of a national chain, more than $9.3 billion would be directly returned to local economies.

There’s still time to promote Independent Retailer Month in your community. Start by talking to other retailers in your area to see if they have plans for the event and then you can work with community leaders and business organizations to coordinate your efforts.