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The Business of America…
Companies urge consumers to spend in difficult times
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Business New Haven
10/15/2001
By: BNH
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NORWALK - A number of business people in the state have launched a grass-roots campaign to call upon fellow Americans to bond together to support the U.S. economy.
Inspired by the U.S. Victory Bonds issued to buttress the economy during World War II, the campaign has been dubbed the “U.S. Store Bonds Effort.” The financial instruments are not literal bonds, but rather a symbol in a patriotic campaign designed to encourage consumers to return to their routines and resume spending as a vote of confidence in the country.
As well, the U.S. Store Bonds Effort also calls upon businesses to provide incentives to consumers - such as discounts and promotions - to draw them back to the stores, hotels, restaurants and such. The U.S. Store Bonds Effort was to kick off on October 12.
TransAct Technologies CEO Bart Shuldman is one of the originators of the campaign. “Two-thirds of the U.S. economy is based on consumer spending,” says Shuldman, 44, whose Wallingford company designs, manufactures and markets transaction-based printers. “The U.S. Store Bonds Effort was created to remind Americans of the power they have, and the critical role they play in the economic health of the U.S.”
Shuldman adds: “If everyone retreats and stays home, the effect on our economy will be devastating. This is our opportunity to take unified action to put our thumbs in the eyes of the terrorists.”
“Each and every American citizen can make a difference and we urge every business to support this effort and every American to take action,” adds Stephanie Primm, president of the Norwalk-based marketing-communications firm the Atlantic Group, another of the campaign's founders.
The U.S. Store Bonds Effort features a Web site where businesses may sign on to participate and access free support materials, as well as obtain U.S. Store Bonds that they may customize. A consumer section on the Web site provides ways for people to support the U.S. Store Bonds effort, download bonds and e-mail them to others.
More information about the campaign is available by visiting www.usstorebonds.org.
Organizers emphasize that this is not a commercial campaign, but an altruistic effort born out of the frustration of feeling helpless, and wanting to do something positive and meaningful for the country in a time of trial.
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