Shop Small, Shop Local on Saturday
It is no secret that before the turkey begins to settle an estimated that more than 60 million holiday shoppers will be hitting the stores in search of a great deal and that elusive item. There is no denying that Black Friday or Post Turkey Thursday or even Cyber Monday is owned by Big Box retail. But, the Saturday following Black Friday is all about Mom and Pop businesses, thanks to a growing movement deemed Small Business Saturday. Born in 2010, Small Business Saturday was the answer to a lagging economy that saw the lights going off in more and more small businesses across the United States. Embraced by government and touted by American Express, who offered free promotion for those participating, Small Business Saturday has grown exponentially since its inception and now it will celebrate its fifth birthday as a grassroots movement to take back a little piece of the pie from the retail giants.
Small Business Organizations contend that small businesses are the heartbeat of the Nation, responsible for 44% of private paychecks since 1995. In 2014, it was estimated that Small Business Saturday brought in more than $14 billion dollars to the economy and gave a substantial boots to many of the small businesses that are dependent on the holiday shopping season for a large part of their yearly revenue.
Small Business Saturday is November 28th and the focus will, once again, be on the Mom and Pop shops that are dotted throughout the community. Many will offer specials in hopes of drawing in a large crowd looking to fill the items on their Christmas wish lists. Once again this year the mantra is shop small, shop local and spend your money where your heart is.
