Shoutout Our Beloved Indie Shopping Scene This July
Independent Retailer Month is a national campaign that celebrates the creativity, community, and economic impact of independent shops across the country. In the Asheville area, we're building on this momentum with a hyper-local campaign that highlights the people, places, and stories behind the city's vibrant indie retail scene.
Throughout July, Explore Asheville, Merchants of Downtown Asheville (MODA), Go Local, and the Asheville Downtown Association will spotlight the shops, makers, and personalities that shape our area. This is your chance to join a larger movement while also connecting directly with locals and visitors in your own unique way.
Ways to Participate
Share the 10% Pledge
Encourage your audience to shift 10% of what they’d normally spend online or at chains to local shops this July. We’ll provide pledge graphics and sample copy to make posting easy.
Link to Sign the Pledge 👉 exploreasheville.com/shift-10
Digital Promo Assets for Pledge 👉Download Canva Template
Sample Captions:
Option 1:
July is Independent Retailer Month — and we’re pledging to Shift 10!
By moving just 10% of what you’d normally spend at national chains to local shops, you help fuel creativity, community, and connection right here in Asheville.
If every family shifted just $10 a month, over $9.3 billion would go back into local economies nationwide.
Ready to commit? Sign the pledge at exploreasheville.com/shift-10
#Shift10 #ShopLocal #IndependentRetailerMonth
Option 2:
We’re pledging to Shift 10 in honor of Independent Retailer Month!
This July, celebrate Asheville’s incredible independently owned shops by shifting just 10% of what you’d normally spend at a national chain to local businesses. It’s a small change that creates a big impact.
Sign the pledge at exploreasheville.com/shift-10!
#Shift10 #ShopLocal #IndependentRetailerMonth
Tell the Story Behind the Shop
Post a photo or video and caption about an item in your shop with a personal story—how it came to be, why you carry it, or what it means to you. Tag @VisitAsheville, @GoLocalAVL, @AshevilleDowntown, and @ModaAsheville to be reshared.
Get Featured in a Personality-Driven Shopping Guide
We’re creating themed “Shop by Vibe” guides (e.g., "The Color & Chaos Lover,” “The Thoughtful Gifter", etc.). Opt-in to be considered by filling out our quick interest form by June 30, 2025.
Join the July Shop & Win Challenge
Be part of our app-based scavenger hunt!
Shoppers who “check in” using the Asheville app at indie retailers in July will be entered to win a basket of Asheville-made goodies. All retailers with a listing on ExploreAsheville.com will automatically be added to the scavenger hunt list. Use this printable flyer with a QR code to display in your store or share on social with these digital promo assets.
If you're not an Explore Asheville partner already, you can request a free listing in just 5 minutes here
Link With More Info 👉 exploreasheville.com/indie-retail-challenge
Explainer Video for How the Challenge Works 👉 Watch (and Share!) the Tutorial
Digital Promo Assets for Challenge 👉Download Canva Template
Sample Captions:
Option 1:
Love a good scavenger hunt? Us too. Check in using the Explore Asheville App when you visit local shops like ours this July and you could win a basket of locally-made goodies + two tix to Biltmore! 🎉
Find more info at exploreasheville.com/indie-retail-challenge!
Option 2:
This July, the Asheville area is celebrating Independent Retailer Month with a citywide scavenger hunt — and we’re on the list! Use the Explore Asheville App to check in at indie retailers all month long and get entered to win two tix to Biltmore + an amazing basket of local goodies. Come find us and start exploring! Get all of the details at exploreasheville.com/indie-retail-challenge!
Printable Flyer 👉Download Canva Template
Looking for More Inspiration?
For additional ideas, free promotional resources, national messaging templates, and powerful statistics about the impact of independent retail, visit the official Independent Retailer Month website:
This national campaign is a great companion to our Asheville area efforts and can help amplify your messaging all month long.