As we ready ourselves for Thanksgiving feasts with family and friends, gift-giving season creeps closer. You may be one of those who got an early start, and have already made your lists and checked them twice (good on ya!). Or you might be like me, a serial procrastinator who has a list of giftees faintly scribbled in my brain, but only a vague idea (or none at all) of what to get for them (whomp whomp!). Lucky for you, dear readers, the Flyer staff has a few things in mind that may kick-start your shopping inspiration here within our annual “alternative Black Friday” gift guide. While it’s tempting to click around the web and “add to cart” to your heart’s content, we hope you’ll consider shopping local and supporting Memphis makers, artists, retailers, institutions, and small businesses this season (and all year round).
Just a little food for thought: According to Amazon Investor Relations, the online shopping giant’s net sales increased 13 percent to $143.1 billion in the third quarter of 2023, compared to $127.1 billion in the third quarter of 2022. The popular Temu app, which claims you can “shop like a billionaire” from its selection of low-cost offerings, has drawn enormous success since its September 2022 launch. According to data from statista.com, “in May 2023, Temu generated approximately $635 million [U.S. dollars] in gross merchandise volume [GMV], a drastic increase over its September 2022 GMV of only $3 million.” The fashion-forward app, Shein, headquartered in Singapore, has expanded its marketplace beyond clothing and apparel, and as reported by CNBC this summer, its “Executive Vice Chairman Donald Tang told investors the company reached record profitability in the first half of 2023, driven by U.S. sales momentum. … The company brought in $23 billion in sales in 2022 and is now worth $66 billion, according to a May report from The Wall Street Journal.”
Wouldn’t it be nice to use some of our gift-buying budget this year to focus on driving more of that sales momentum right here in Memphis? Beyond those highlighted in our “Gift Local 2023” feature, there are so many local retailers who’d appreciate your business. Your hard-earned dollars can be used to support the economy here at home, rather than line the pockets of foreign organizations and multibillion-dollar companies. We’d also like to encourage you to browse these pages and consider purchasing from our advertisers, who help to keep the Flyer free — on newsstands and online.
Tickets to concerts, stage performances, and other events at venues like the Orpheum Theatre, Bartlett Performing Arts & Conference Center, GPAC, Lafayette’s Music Room, MoSH, Playhouse on the Square, Theatre Memphis, Crosstown Arts, Halloran Centre, or Graceland Soundstage would make great gifts — and lasting memories — for just about anyone on your list. If a trip to Vegas isn’t in the cards, a planned night or weekend at one of our regional casinos — Gold Strike Casino & Resort, Southland Casino, 1st Jackpot Casino Tunica, Hollywood Casino Tunica, to name a few — could be a big win for your giftee. A trip to Sheffield Antiques Mall, A Moment in Time Antiques & Collectibles, aquaTreasures Estate Center, or one of the city’s many eclectic secondhand shops could uncover the perfect one-of-a-kind find for a one-of-a-kind loved one. Get in tune with the music-lovers in your life with a gift from rEvolve Guitar & Music Shop or Goner Records. Or spice things up in the bedroom with lovely lingerie for yourself or your partner from Coco & Lola’s.
If you want to peruse a variety of booths and vendors in one place, mark your calendars for one of the many local gift markets happening around town in the coming weeks. The Memphis Arts Collective Holiday Artist Market runs November 24th through December 24th at 5847 Poplar Avenue #110. This year’s WinterArts will be open daily at 870 S. White Station Road November 25th through December 24th. And there’s the Choose901 Holiday Market at Crosstown Concourse Thursday, November 30th, through Saturday, December 2nd. Find additional info on these events and more like them at events.memphisflyer.com.
Speaking of the Flyer, we’ve got merch available at grindcitydesigns.com/memphisflyer for any Flyer fans you might know. If you’re a fan yourself, you could support our work with a one-time or monthly donation by becoming a Frequent Flyer (look for the “Support Us” widget on memphisflyer.com or email frequentflyer@memphisflyer.com to find out more).
We hope you’ll put Memphis at the forefront of your holiday shopping sprees this year. Buying local supports the people — not only business owners, but also their employees and families — who make our city so special. And we think that’s pretty darn important.
Jason Payton