(Photo by Christina Estes - KJZZ)

Bill Sandweg and his wife own Copper Star Coffee along Seventh Avenue north of Indian School Road in Phoenix.

A national campaign called “Independents Week” is drawing attention to the local impact of independently owned retailers.

During her 30 years working in retail, Kimber Lanning has witnessed malls move into communities, big box stores open — and close — and discount retailers become more popular. Lately, she sees two kinds of shoppers.  

“The people who are willing to be more socially conscious with their spending and they are actually buying from independently owned businesses a lifestyle, and then there are the people who are choosing convenience,” she said.

Lanning runs Local First Arizona, a nonprofit focused on local businesses. In 2012, a report by research firm Civic Economics found local retailers returned an average of 52 percent of their revenue to the local economy, compared with 14 percent for chain retailers. It found local restaurants return an average of 79 percent of their revenue to the local economy, compared with 30 percent for chain restaurants.

“We can have 30,000 Starbucks locations. and they’re still only going to support one accountant and one graphic designer and one website developer, whereas 30,000 independent retailers supports 30,000 accountants and 30,000 graphic designers,” she said.

As part of Independents Week, which runs through Sunday, July 9, Local First Arizona is offering a 20 percent off coupon to be used at participating businesses.