The 20 million-plus small businesses in the United States are the strength of our nation's economy. Small businesses, like independent outdoor shops, account for 39% of the US GDP, create 2 out of 3 new jobs, and produce 2.5 times as many innovations per employee as large firms.

Outdoor Shop Day is critically important to maintain the health of the Independent Outdoor Shop as they compete against the Big Box retail chains:

• Independent Outdoor Shops produce more jobs, better incomes, and higher tax receipts for their communities than Big Box mega-stores.
• Independent Outdoor Shop owners and employees are more likely to support other local businesses and services – such as local banks, printers, advertisers, financial advisors, etc. – which help to preserve the local economy and community.
• Independent Outdoor Shops strive to provide more expertise, better service, and higher quality goods than huge and impersonal Big Box retailers do.
• Independent Outdoor Shops help to promote a healthy lifestyle by providing the tools necessary to be active in the great outdoors.