Impact of shopping local

The average shopper will spend more than $1,000 this holiday season.

That's according to a new report from retailers.

We're 8 days from Black Friday.

But if you want to get a jump start Thursday was the day to shop local.

A chance.

That’s all the owner of the Bike Rack wants from holiday shoppers this year.

He says he knows how convenient online shopping is, but wants people to think about how it can help local businesses like his.

"We support local sales tax, property tax, by every sale that we make, we employ local people,” said Owner, Jim Carveth.

Jim Carveth says sales also allow them to support local causes like The Food Bank, Cedars and schools, but their success also helps the city.

"More of the profits also remain in the local economy,” said Nebraska Economics Professor, Eric Thompson.

Thompson says shopping local helps determine a city's success.

"A good retail environment with good retail options is quite important for a city,” said Thompson.

Nationally, people are expected to spend $720 Billion this holiday season.

That's 4% more than last year.

But the National Retail Federation says only 23% plan to shop at local stores.

"You're just not getting that when you're shopping online, and you're not getting an opinion of someone else who really knows the product and can help find the best thing for you,” said Threads Manager, Chelsea Walz.

Walz says by shopping local you aren't just supporting a larger corporation, you're helping friends and neighbors.

"We treat them like family, I mean we really do,” said Carveth.

Another good time to support Lincoln stores is small business Saturday, which is the 24th.