Move over Black Friday, Small Business Saturday is back, and local businesses are counting on their community to show support.
From Black Friday to Cyber Monday and then straight into the Christmas shopping season, the idea of even more shopping might not be appealing to everyone.
However, Small Business Saturday is a shopping event with a difference
What is Small Business Saturday?
Small Business Saturday started out as a grassroots campaign imploring consumers in the UK to shop local and support small businesses in their communities.
Though the campaign usually culminates with one specific date, the intention behind the campaign is to have longer-lasting effects and encourage shoppers to be more aware of the benefits of supporting smaller businesses all year round.
On Small Business Saturday, customers across the country go out and support all types of small businesses, online, in offices and in stores. Many small businesses do their part to celebrate and support the initiative by hosting events and offering discounts.
When did Small Business Saturday start?
The first Small Business Saturday took place in 2010 in the United States, and was an initiative introduced by American Express on the first Saturday after Thanksgiving.
It was first launched to help small businesses recover from the recession and was an immediate success, leading to the Senate passing a resolution in 2011 to recognise the shopping holiday.
It first took place in the UK on December 7, 2013 and American Express remain one of the biggest supporters of the campaign in the UK.
When is the next Small Business Saturday in the UK?
The next Small Business Saturday takes place on December 4, 2021.
It has always fallen on the first Saturday in December since its inception.
In 2020, according to data shared on the official Small Business Saturday website, 15.4 million people turned out to support small businesses on the day.
Where to shop on Small Business Saturday?
The problem for many when it comes to supporting smaller businesses is how much easier it is to rely on companies like Amazon.
Fortunately, ahead of Small Business Saturday 2021, you can plan ahead and use the official Small Business finder online to explore and discover a whole host of businesses that are taking part.
How to promote your business this Small Business Saturday
On the flip side, if you are a business owner and want to get some exposure ahead of this year’s event, you are invited to register your business with Small Business Saturday online.
The organisation explains that, by registering, businesses will receive help promoting their business both before, during and after Small Business Saturday.
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Small businesses looking forward to Small Business Saturday
McKenna says many small business owners like herself are spending overtime in their shops to stay afloat.
“Staffing is so short. And as long as we have that revenue coming in, we’re able to cover our bills and hopefully begin to continue to offer our staff more money to stay on board,” she said.
Chevalier’s Books in Larchmont Village is the oldest independent bookstore in L.A., according to store employees.
The assistant manager says that supporting your favorite small businesses on days like this is one of the reasons why this 1940s bookstore is still open.
“Having something like a Small Business Saturday’s, it actually supports that idea that if you want these communities to thrive, if you go to these stores and support, you’ll give them the life they need,” said assistant manager Daniel Kusunoki.
And it gives small business owners like McKenna a chance to put out new releases for shoppers like her gluten-free, vegan and kosher gingerbread house kit.
“I’m always thinking about kids with food allergies and things that they miss out on,” McKenna said
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Local businesses hoping to see rush of customers for Small Business Saturday
As stores gear up for the busy season of holiday shopping, local businesses are hoping to see large amounts of customers as well.
Following Black Friday is Small Business Saturday every year across the country.
“Small businesses are the ones that we’re your friends and neighbors. We’re out here trying to live our dreams and do something good for our communities, and so it’s really important that people come out,” said Bee Joyful Shop Owner and Founder Jessica Thompson.
Bee Joyful Shop is Michigan’s first zero waste and refill shop. Jessica Thompson, the owner and founder of the store said Small Business Saturday is the biggest day of the year for them.
“It’s heartwarming to see everyone come out in support and say, ‘Oh, well, I’m just getting this one thing’. That one thing means a lot,” said Thompson.
Small Business Saturday takes place the day after Black Friday each year and encourages consumers to support local businesses by shopping small.
Lana Hoffman, the owner of Lana’s Boutique on the Kalamazoo Mall, said it always amazes her how many people from the community show up to support.
“It’s incredibly important because that’s how we stay open. That’s how we are able to keep our employees working, and, you know, just having that mindset of trying to shop local and small before Amazon and online and the big box stores. It’s very important to us,” said Lana’s Boutique Owner Lana Hoffman.
Hoffman said her store sells a little bit of everything for everybody including men’s and women’s clothing, accessories and lots of Michigan gifts.
For her customers, she has discounts to celebrate one of the largest shopping days of the year.
“We offer a progressive sale all day long. It’s pretty exciting, because you can save up to 40% on your entire order. Basically, the more you buy, the more you save,” said Hoffman.
Small Business Saturday is an American shopping holiday held during the Saturday after Thanksgiving in the United States during one of the busiest shopping periods of the year.
This Saturday is always the last one in November, so it falls between November 24 and November 30.