The predictions for retail sales for 2017 are in, and some experts, like those in the Fitch Ratings Outlook report, predict that retail sales will grow between 3 and 4 percent this year. And while thats great news for internet retailers, brick and mortar business are only expected to share 1 percent of that growth. But one retail expert says he has a solution for mom and pop stores who are struggling to compete with online retailers.

The difference between most online retailers and brick and mortar ones is that consumers can more easily find the online sellers, says a spokesman from FindUsLocal, an online [local business directory](http://www.finduslocal.com/) that uses GEO technology to match visitors locations and the customized results they see. Thats because they search online for places to do business with, and internet retailers are typically savvier when it comes to attracting those buyers online.

He says that if local business owners only realized how easy it would be for consumers to find them if their business was listed on a local directory, they would do it. Its so easy to do. People only have to claim their listing on a local directory, and it will be seen when people are looking for businesses like theirs in the area.

He recommends that after they claim their business listing, they ask customers to leave reviews for their business on the [local directory](http://www.finduslocal.com/) because that will help them show up in the search engines.

About FindUsLocal: FindUsLocal uses geolocation technology in visitors browsers to construct a home page focused on their city, town or community. Right there on the front page, theyll find local weather, sports results for their favorite teams, and announcements of the top musical acts and events coming to their city. Smart business owners list their businesses on the site to be seen by those who are specifically looking for businesses in their local area.