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Welcome to Kingston, Ontario, Canada

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Consumers are the ultimate force shaping our society. Collectively, consumers have tremendous power. If, through their purchasing habits, they continue to support the explosive growth and mega-merger activities of the large global corporations, it is quite possible that most of our small independently-owned businesses will be squeezed out of the local marketplace. Not only will our community lose the choice and diversity that small business brings, but there will be serious social and economic implications as well. Affordable entrepreneurial opportunities will disappear and local control of our community's economic future will be impossible. Consumers need to assume a personal responsibility and vote with their purchasing power for the type of community they want to live in.

Shoppers Union goes beyond just talking about the importance of supporting small business and offers shoppers a practical, affordable solution. Shoppers Union borrowed the idea of a discount savings card and then adapted it to support ONLY independent, locally-owned businesses. Shoppers Union members can now save money at over 100 Participating Businesses throughout the city.

To see what discount or incentive each Participating Business offers Shoppers Union members, click on the pictures in the left frame. To find out more about a particular business, click on the "Shoal Tower" image at the top of the left frame or on the "where to save" button in the table below.

	What is Shoppers Union and how does it work?: for Shoppers for Businesses
	The Top 10 Reasons why you should care about globalization.
	The Participating Businesses: View Summary List of participants. Search Detailed Listings of participants.
	A place to read or post individual Consumer Opinions
	The place where individual opinions are tallied and converted into Consumer Ratings
	How much does it cost to become a member?
	Ideas and Information: Issues and Trends in Retail The Local Shopping Scene Focusing Consumer Power
	The Responsibilities of Members: It's up to you, the members, to make Shoppers Union more than just a discount savings club!
	The Newsletter Page: The latest news and information. Back issues of our newsletters.
	Start a Shoppers Union: in your own community?
	Contact Shoppers Union: Give us your ideas and suggestions. Register as a Member or a Participating Business.
	Links: to other sites