 Strictly USA Newsletter: December 2012ARE YOU IN? If we all spent $64 on Made in America Christmas gifts this season we would create 200,000 NEW JOBS! We're happy to report that ABC World News with Diane Sawyer and "Mr. Made in America" David Muir have started their 2012 Made in America Christmas Series (http://abcnews.go.com/WNT/video/made-america-christmas-creating-jobs-holidays-17833234) on Wednesday Nov. 28, 2012. This week the ABC crew traveled the shopping streets of NYC to peek inside shoppers bags for made in America merchandise. Many shoppers were shocked to find nothing made here, but ALL were challenged to spend just $64 on made in USA products this Christmas. A rather small percentage of the estimated $700 that each American will spend during this holiday season. All of the shoppers interviewed said "I'm In!" If this segment doesn't get you fired up to buy American...nothing will. How about you Strictly USA customer and supporter... ARE YOU IN?
STRONG SALES It appears that the 2012 shopping season got off to a roaring start. Which is somewhat good news as 70% of our GDP is generated by consumer spending. Still it pains me to see people standing in line, out in the cold in front of a giant toy retailer and/ or a mega mart at 8:00 on Thanksgiving night. Really? Don't forget...90% of the worlds toys (and most products for that matter) are made overseas (mostly in China) and that's what these stores carry. Why do stores carry all these imports??? Because we ask them to whenever we shop and spend money on these same products. Notice "we"..that's us. BTW, at least 20% of the money spent on these chintzy imports (and 100% of the jobs) leaves our shores never to return. Leaving a much weaker America in it's wake. THE GOOD NEWS!: American consumers have a LOT of POWER. We drive the economy! We can either drive it up...or drive it down. Let's drive the economy UP TOWARDS PROSPERITY not down to poverty and hopelessness. Are you in?
HAS ALEX DONE HIS $64 WORTH? You bet! As president and founder of a Made in USA product company, not only do I always encourage you to buy American, I also hold myself to a very high standard as far as buying and supporting American goods on an everyday basis. Here are some recent examples: New Balance athletic shoes and socks, various office products, Sport Science athletic wear, a shelving unit from Home Depot and a set of 1888 Mills Millennium made in USA towels. Now it's your turn. Share your made in America finds and purchases with us on the Strictly USA Facebook page.
HOW MUCH MANUFACTURING HAS BEEN LOST IN US? Though domestic production has ticked up recently, more than 97 percent of the 19 billion pieces of apparel sold in the United States last year were made somewhere else, primarily in China and other Asian nations, according to Labor Department data compiled by the American Apparel & Footwear Association. Employment has declined 75 percent since the late 1990s, from 621,000 jobs in 1998 to 151,800 today. FIRE! Aside from the vast economic damage caused by the outsourcing of the USA apparel industry, we must also consider the working conditions in these overseas factories. Case in point..the recent fire (Nov.24, 2012) in a Bangladesh clothing factory. 112 workers killed, factory destroyed. Reportedly, only one emergency exit door existed, which was locked. This factory made goods for Walmart, Sears, Disney and others. Sadly, most of these companies had no idea that this factory was subcontracted to make their products...until they read about it. Which again reinforces the fact that most companies have no idea where their stuff is actually made.
SAVE 10% ON YOUR NEXT ORDER: Hey Strictly USA customers! Standing offer to save 10% on your next order. Either submit a product review by clicking the link on a product page or if you're happy with service, send in a testimonial via email ([email protected]). When your review or testimonial is received, you will be issued a code you can use at checkout to redeem your 10% discount. This applies to everything, sale or not! Does not apply to previous orders. These offers cannot be combined. THERE IS NO EXPIRATION DATE. You can do this anytime. Thanks.
Great Stocking Stuffer Ideas: Try our Croakies Sunglass Accessories and eyewear retainers. For easy and long-lasting household repairs, Hippo Patch waterproof repair tape. And how about Gear Ties a clever gadget for keeping things together or tied--headphone cords, extension cords, even use as a hanger. Unlimited uses. Rite in the Rain Notebooks/ Pens. All weather notebooks perfect for any outdoor enthusiast--hiker, photographer, etc. Different sizes available. Can't make up your mind? Strictly USA also offers Gift Certificates in $20, $25, $50 and $100 amounts. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- And again a reminder...Join ABC News, The Strictly USA Team and patriotic consumers across the country to take the $64 CHALLENGE and make this a MADE IN AMERICA CHRISTMAS! Creating jobs and a stronger America. HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM THE STRICTLY USA TEAM! Sincerely, Alex H. Nedleman--Founder/ president of Strictly USA |
