I love supporting small and local businesses, especially during the holidays, which is why I love Small Business Saturday. Don’t get me wrong, I also love Black Friday, but I can’t always find exactly what I’m looking for, and it’s a madhouse. So, having an extra day to shop while supporting businesses in my community is a win-win. You can find so many fun gift ideas for family and friends that really stand out. Not to mention the deals and events you can discover at participating businesses!
As a local business owner, participating in Small Business Saturday just makes sense. You can capture the holiday shoppers, entice new customers to visit your location, and take part in a fun community-building event.
But, don’t take my word for it. Check out these Small Business Saturday stats that prove SBS is where it’s at for local businesses during the holiday season.
More than 7K People Champion the Day
Last year, more than 7,500 people participated in Small Business Saturday as Neighborhood Champions. This means that they rallied their communities with events and activities around and on Small Business Saturday. That’s a lot of support! Chances are, there are Neighborhood Champions in your area just waiting to get the word out about your Small Business Saturday participation or help you connect with a business or event that can set you up for success.
Related: How to Create a Fool-Proof Plan for Small Business Saturday
Over 100 MILLION Consumers Participate
It was estimated that last year over 104 million people shopped and dined small on Small Business Saturday — generating a record $17.8 billion in reported spend, up from $12 million in 2017. That’s a lot of people and even more money! Consumers are ready to support local and shop small, and they’ve got the spend to make it a success for you. In a world where we’re so focused on online shopping, it’s nice to take a break from that for at least a day. And, there’s something that makes you feel good, as a consumer, about supporting businesses in your community.
Plus: You know what you have going for you that those online shops don’t? Instant gratification. It’s something most consumers love, and it’s something you can deliver (but it won’t take you 3-5 days!).
90% of Consumers Say Small Business Saturday Makes a Positive Impact
Like I was saying, supporting businesses in your local community makes you feel good. And, according to one survey, 90% of consumers said that Small Business Saturday has positively impacted their communities.
American Express lays it out perfectly on their website: “As shopping small catches on in communities everywhere, Small Business Saturday goes from a cause to a day of community celebration.”
Don’t you want to be a part of that celebration?
We know we do, which is why we’re proud to be a Small Business Saturday corporate sponsor! We’re champions of local businesses, so any day that gives our fave businesses the spotlight is one we’ve got to get involved with. We’ll be sharing tips, insights, and more (like this blog post!) leading up to the big event, so keep checking in with us!
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