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Want to get 10 percent off parts and service at Hay Tire Co. , 5 percent off all small wares at Berlin's Restaurant Supply or free virus removal from PalmettoBug Digital?

You'll find those and a slew of other deals during Buy Local Month, which starts today and continues through Dec. 15 at participating local merchants if you are a card-carrying member of the Buy Local movement.

It's the promotion of Lowcountry Local First, and you can buy a card for $20 at participating stores.

"We are trying to push it to get consumers to spend their holiday dollars at local businesses," said Amy Graul of Lowcountry Local First.

The organization normally asks shoppers to shift at least 10 percent of their spending at locally owned businesses, but during the next 30 days, they urge shoppers to spend 100 percent of their money at local independently owned shops.

Lowcountry Local First officials say shopping locally keeps three times the money circulating within the community. You can also hear the promotion on The Bridges 105.5 radio station.

To see a list of participating merchants, buy a card and get more details, go to www.lowcountrylocalfirst.org/deals or call 740-5444.

Retail radar

--Garfield Jewelers will open its new 1,800-square-foot shop at 1711 Savannah Highway in West Ashley today.

--Toys R Us has added an Express store during the holidays at Tanger Outlet Center in North Charleston.

--Downtown Charleston has a new jewelry store. Italian jewelry designer Roberto Coin recently opened his fifth boutique in the United States in a partnership with Paulo Geiss Jewelers at 200 King St.

--Pandora Jewelry and Qdoba Mexican Grill recently opened at Mount Pleasant Towne Centre, and Palmetto Moon's expansion at the shopping center is complete.

--Whole Foods is now the only store in Charleston carrying Kimochis, five plush toy characters that help children learn emotions in positive ways. Kimochi means "feeling" in Japanese. Each character comes with three feeling pillows that allow a facial expression on one side and a word on the other side.

--Restaurant gift cards are expected to be a hot holiday gift item this year. About 78 percent of adults say they would like to receive a restaurant gift card or certificate, according to the National Restaurant Association.

Less angst

A new survey by WSL Strategic Retail called "How America Shops -- Recovery ... or Not" shows fewer people, about 6 percent less, are avoiding shopping than they did last year.

That's the first time that's happened since October 2008, shortly after the financial market meltdown.

"Shoppers are less optimistic about their financial recovery from the recession than they were a year ago, but they are returning to shopping," said Wendy Liebmann, CEO of WSL Strategic Retail, a retail and marketing strategy firm that has conducted its studies since 1989.

Sixty percent of shoppers will stick to stores and brands they can afford, 56 percent will spend less on gifts, 53 percent will stay out of stores where they are tempted to overspend, 54 percent will make shopping lists to manage their budget, and 45 percent will look online for the best prices before they go to stores.

Retailers should target men, young and affluent shoppers, according to the study, because they are more optimistic about the recovery and will start spending first. They also should present fashion in a fashionable way because all shoppers, especially women, are trying to stick with stores that they can afford. Merchants also update should their websites because this is where a great number of shoppers will browse for gift ideas and compare prices.

In the know? Do you know of a business that is opening, closing or expanding? Reach Warren Wise at 937-5524.