Boatman Geller supports 3/50 Project
I recently received an email from trendy stationery designer Boatman Geller indicating that they were now a proud supporter of the nationwide 3/50 Project. The Stationers Guild was one of the early supporters of Cinda Baxter’s 3/50 Project and, as Guild members, we are very much encouraged that leading stationery companies are now getting behind this important initiative.
As readers of this Blog may recall, the objective of the 3/50 project is to save “the brick & mortars our nation is built on” by encouraging residents to support local businesses. Spending patterns suggest that roughly two-thirds of the money spent at local stores remains in the community. The benefits to the community through taxes and employment of online sales are virtually negligible. With small business employment continuing to plummet, town and community infrastructures across the United States will be radically changed. The 3/50 project is simply a call-to-arms to help protect local businesses and the fabric of our communities.
Boatman Geller will be sending a printable manufacturer’s coupon that can be redeemed at any retail store that carries Boatman Geller’s Personalized Collections. This is very encouraging news and will hopefully be emulated by other fine stationery companies to protect their bricks and mortar dealer network.
Nevertheless, a far more positive step would be sell Boatman Geller’s personalized collections exclusively through retail stores. My own opinion is that “fine” stationery sold through internet distribution channels will eventually become little more than “paper” to consumers that are deprived of the tactile and visual experience of selecting their stationery in person. Perhaps, Boat Geller might want to reconsider whether the “value” or “uniqueness” of their brand is really enhanced by selling through 24 online resellers.