What’s on your holiday shopping list? This year, people may also be asking, “And where was it made?”
In a new poll, 81% of Americans surveyed said they would prefer to buy American-made gifts if given the option. The preference is driven by the belief buying products “Made in America” will help the economy, create jobs, and support small businesses.
Bryan Spiegel, owner of Azzy’s Design Works in Finleyville, said it is important to support local businesses before looking elsewhere. His company recently designed a badge of honor for a local Girl Scout troop, which helped to market the business.
“Being active in your community, active in offering groups that kind of stuff, gets the word out best,” Spiegel explained. “Because word-of-mouth has been the greatest tool I’ve had in marketing these past 10 years.”
Spiegel offers customized Jeep accessories, from gauge-face replacements and spare parts to keychains and T-shirts. Azzy’s Design is one of the businesses in a new “Made in America Holiday Gift Guide,” compiled by the Alliance for American Manufacturing and featuring products from every state.
Scott Paul, president of the alliance, said 75% of poll respondents want companies penalized for falsely marketing their goods as “Made in the USA” when they are not, and 83% believe online retailers should have to label their products’ country of origin.
“There’s no requirement that they post where that product is made, despite offering 1,000s of other details, in some cases, about that product,” Paul pointed out. “There is bipartisan support for a change that would require that country-of-origin labeling for online shoppers.”
A Country of Origin Online Labeling Act has been introduced but has not seen much progress given all the competing priorities in Congress at the moment.
Despite Spiegel’s commitment to sourcing tools, supplies, and materials from other U.S. producers, he noted the business faced significant obstacles during the pandemic. And today, inflation continues to pose challenges.
“Everyone knows how the economy in general is going,” Spiegel stressed. “And our business, like a lot of other businesses, faced mandatory shutdowns for two years and all kinds of other problems. And there are so few places left to get things made here anymore. We need to support that.”
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