New York Gov. Kathy Hochul encourages people to shop small this holiday season – CBS News

Report on the Alignment of New York’s Small Business Initiatives with Sustainable Development Goals

Executive Summary

A recent initiative by New York Governor Kathy Hochul encourages consumers to support local enterprises, particularly on “Small Business Saturday.” This report analyzes the initiative’s profound connection to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Supporting small businesses is a direct investment in local economies and serves as a critical driver for achieving SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production). The data provided by the Governor’s office illustrates that these businesses are not merely commercial entities but are integral to the state’s sustainable development framework.

Economic Impact and Contribution to SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

The economic structure of New York State is heavily reliant on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Businesses with fewer than 100 employees represent 98% of all businesses statewide and are responsible for employing nearly 40% of the New York workforce. The retail sector alone, of which 81% of its 70,000 stores are independently owned, generated $507 billion in sales in 2024. This economic activity directly supports the targets of SDG 8.

• Promotion of Economic Growth: The significant sales volume and $20.3 billion in state sales tax collected from retail demonstrate how SMEs fuel sustained and inclusive economic growth.
• Creation of Decent Work: By employing a substantial portion of the workforce and providing an average weekly wage of $971 to retail workers, these businesses are essential for creating productive employment and decent work for all, contributing to household income and poverty reduction (SDG 1).
• Fostering Entrepreneurship: The high percentage of independently owned businesses highlights a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem, a key component of a dynamic and sustainable economy.

Fostering Sustainable Communities through SDG 11

Governor Hochul’s statement that local enterprises are “engines of opportunity and cornerstones of community” directly aligns with the objectives of SDG 11, which aims to make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable. Thriving main streets, supported by local businesses, are fundamental to community well-being.

• Strengthening Local Economies: When consumers shop locally, capital circulates within the community, strengthening its economic resilience and reducing dependency on external corporations.
• Enhancing Community Cohesion: Small businesses often serve as community hubs, fostering social interaction and a unique local identity, which contributes to creating inclusive and safe neighborhoods.
• Building Resilience: A diverse local business landscape makes a community less vulnerable to economic shocks compared to one reliant on a few large industries.

Promoting Responsible Consumption and Production (SDG 12)

The call to action includes specific recommendations that encourage more sustainable consumption patterns, a core principle of SDG 12. By choosing local and artisanal products, consumers can actively reduce their environmental footprint and support sustainable production methods.

• Shorter Supply Chains: Purchasing from local farmers’ markets and artisans, as promoted by platforms like Taste.NY.gov, reduces transportation distances, thereby lowering carbon emissions.
• Support for Sustainable Production: Consumers can directly support farms and producers who may use more sustainable and ethical practices than large-scale industrial manufacturers.
• Reduced Waste: Opting for store credit on returns, as suggested, is a circular economy practice that keeps resources and capital within the local ecosystem, minimizing waste.

Strategic Recommendations for Consumer Support

The Governor’s office has outlined several actionable strategies for consumers to support small businesses and, by extension, contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals throughout the year:

1. Shop at independently owned retailers and other service providers within your community.
2. Buy gift cards from local businesses to provide them with upfront sales and encourage future visits.
3. Find unique, locally made gifts and seasonal foods at farmers’ markets to support local agriculture and artisans.
4. Utilize the state’s Taste.NY.gov website to purchase products directly from New York’s farms and food producers.
5. Eat at neighborhood restaurants and cafés to support the local hospitality sector.
6. Share positive experiences on social media and review sites to increase the visibility of local enterprises.
7. When returning items, opt for store credit to ensure that money continues to circulate within the local economy.

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The article primarily addresses issues related to local economic development, job creation, and community resilience, which connect to the following Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):

• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

  The article’s core message is about fostering economic growth by supporting small businesses. It highlights their significant role in job creation (“employ nearly 40% of the workforce”) and their contribution to the state’s economy (“The retail sector generated $507 billion in sales in 2024”). The initiative encourages investing in these “engines of opportunity” to ensure decent work and sustained local economic activity.

• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

  The focus on “investing in our neighbors and our neighborhoods” and keeping “main streets thriving” directly relates to making communities more inclusive, resilient, and sustainable. Supporting local enterprises is presented as a cornerstone of community well-being, strengthening the local economic fabric that is essential for sustainable community life.

• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

  By encouraging consumers to “Shop at independently owned retailers,” buy “locally made gifts and seasonal foods at farmers’ markets,” and purchase from local farms and artisans, the article promotes more sustainable consumption patterns. This shifts focus from mass-produced goods to local products, which often have shorter supply chains and support local production systems.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the article’s content, the following specific SDG targets can be identified:

1. Target 8.3: Promote development-oriented policies that support productive activities, decent job creation, entrepreneurship, creativity and innovation, and encourage the formalization and growth of micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises.

   The entire initiative promoted by Governor Hochul is a development-oriented policy aimed at encouraging the growth of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The article explicitly states that businesses with fewer than 100 employees constitute 98% of businesses in New York, and the governor’s call to “shop small” is a direct effort to support their growth and productive activities.

2. Target 11.a: Support positive economic, social and environmental links between urban, peri-urban and rural areas by strengthening national and regional development planning.

   The article encourages strengthening the economic links within communities. By promoting shopping at local retailers on “main streets” and directing consumers to the “Taste.NY.gov” website for products from farms and artisans, the initiative aims to build a stronger economic connection between consumers (often in urban/suburban areas) and producers (including those in rural areas), thereby reinforcing regional development.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Yes, the article mentions several statistics and outcomes that can serve as or imply indicators for measuring progress:

• Indicators for Target 8.3:

  • Proportion of small businesses in the economy: The article provides a baseline figure: “businesses with fewer than 100 employees make up 98% of businesses statewide.” Tracking this percentage over time can measure the health of the SME sector.
  • Proportion of employment in small businesses: The article states that these businesses “employ nearly 40% of the workforce.” This is a direct indicator of their role in job creation.
  • Economic contribution of the retail sector (dominated by small businesses): The article quantifies this with figures like “$507 billion in sales in 2024” and “$20.3 billion in state sales tax.” These figures can be tracked to measure economic growth.
  • Average weekly earnings: The mention that “Retail workers across the state earn an average of $971 a week” serves as an indicator for the quality of jobs and household income supported by the sector.

• Indicators for Target 11.a:

  • Economic vitality of local commercial districts: The goal to “keep our main streets thriving” implies that indicators such as the number of operating businesses, vacancy rates in commercial areas, and local sales tax revenue could be used to measure progress.
  • Sales of local products: The promotion of farmers’ markets and the “Taste.NY.gov” website suggests that tracking sales volume from these local sources would be a key indicator of the strength of economic links between local producers and consumers.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: cbsnews.com