Retail Therapy, Americanized

Photo Courtesy of RealWorldRacingPhotog.

In my quest to support domestic growth and showcase influential American-made designers, I have come to a few realizations: a. America is definitely not short of amazing designers who still manufacture their products in the U.S., b. Fast Fashion no longer has a place in my wardrobe, and c. There is still a long way to go toward getting America’s manufacturing base back on its feet (as evidenced by the Made in Japan signage to the left.)

In the U.S., buying power is everything. Nearly 70 percent of our GDP is made up of consumer spending. Unfortunately, most of the goods Americans buy are imported, so the profits and wealth from our purchases are sent overseas instead of being filtered back into the American economy.

Thursday, the Commerce Department is expected to report the deficit on international trade in goods and services was $48 billion in June. What many fail to realize is that America’s trade deficit is currently one of the most significant barriers to job creation and growth in the U.S. Every time an American buys a foreign-made product, those dollars go abroad and if they do not return to purchase American exports, we permanently lose money that could have directly created more American jobs. When there is no demand for American-made goods, there is no justification for new investments or more hiring, leaving more Americans jobless and strapping municipal governments with uninterrupted budget woes.

As Americans use their purchasing power to buy more imported goods, the money that should be helping America return to economic prosperity is actually serving to drive the trade deficit higher. Although Americans may be spending more, they are not spending enough on American-made goods.

One way to combat this problem is to simply check product labels for manufacturing information. Talk to store owners and ask them why they do not house more American-made objects, if we ask for (and buy) more American-made products, we will see more American-made items on the shelves. It is the simple rule of supply and demand. Finding American-made alternatives may prove to be a little more work, but as I have discovered (as evidence of this site), it is definitely worth the few extra clicks of the mouse.

With so many high-quality American-made goods on the market, there is little excuse to buy foreign-made when so much is at stake for the American economy. Spending your money on American products will lead to more American jobs, less state and national budget woes, and (eventually) the revitalization of America’s manufacturing base. We have a long way to go in correcting our trade deficit, fortunately I have no problem doing my part by investing in the amazing American-made lines I have found thanks to operating this site.