More Than a Trend

In recent years, we’ve seen the marketing and promotion of American-made products grow significantly. The idea that companies, both large and small, can produce high-quality products here in the US is part of our collective consciousness again. And that’s a good thing.

But how do we ensure that something so vital to our country remains visible long enough to be more than just a trend?

Demand.

Anyone who took Economics 101 learned about the concept of supply and demand. And I think we all generally get the idea that if customers demand something, companies will create products to fill that demand. But if you’ve ever worked in marketing or had a hand in selling a product, you understand just how desperate companies are to anticipate and react to this demand. Consumer demand isn’t a quaint little theory, it’s the absolute truth. And it drives everything companies do.

As consumers in 2013, we are more powerful than ever before. Just look at the organic food industry. What started off as a fringe movement became a trend that then became a major focus of huge international companies. Say what you will about these companies and their motives, but the amount of organic options available to us has never been greater, and they’ve never been more accessible.

Do you think Walmart started selling organic products because they want people to eat better? No, of course not. They did it because consumers demanded it.

So how does this relate to American-made goods? Again, it all comes down to demand. If we as consumers stop buying cheap, disposable goods and demand high-quality, American-made products, companies will create them. And even if large companies don’t continue to embrace Made in the USA, our dollars will still support innovative small businesses that are the lifeblood of our economy.

The choice really is up to us. And we make that choice each and every time we make a purchase. Keep demanding American-made products and companies will keep producing them.