Supporting the Local Business Community
Information compiled from Small Business Administration and American Express
Small businesses face increasing economic challenges from massive retailers and an ever growing online product. Small Business Saturday, which was held on November 24th this year, provides local merchants with an opportunity to compete during the largest shopping weekend of the year.
American Express founded Small Business Saturday in 2010, giving small businesses and brick-and-mortar stores across the country a special promotional boost and a way to focus shoppers on the local business community between Black Friday and Cyber Monday. The efforts appear to have paid off. American Express estimates that American consumers have spent $85 billion at independent retailers and restaurants since Small Business Saturday was launched.
In the wake of another successful Small Business Saturday, consumers are urged to continue the nationwide movement to “Shop Small” every day which helps communities thrive and stay vibrant.
“Going local does not mean walling off the outside world. It means nurturing locally owned businesses which use local resources sustainably, employ local workers at decent wages and serve primarily local consumers. It means becoming more self-sufficient and less dependent on imports. Control moves from the boardrooms of distant corporations and back into the community where it belongs.” – Michael H. Shuman, author of the book Going Local.
