Contributed by Rebecca Johnson
In between Black Friday and Cyber Monday comes Small Business Saturday. American Express launched the shopping holiday in 2010 to get small businesses in on the holiday shopping action.
“According to the 2018 Small Business Saturday Consumer Insights Survey, total reported spending among U.S. consumers who said they shopped at independent retailers and restaurants on the day reached a record high of an estimated $17.8 billion,” according to the U.S. Small Business Administration that co-sponsors the day.
When we shop at a small business, we help out our neighbors and put money back into our own communities.
- Small Business Employ Our Neighbors
According to the 2019 Frequently Asked Questions about Small Business report, from 2000 to 2018, small businesses created 9.6 million jobs, that accounts for close to 65 percent of all jobs that were created in that period. According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, small businesses employs 47.8 percent of the private workforce.
2. Shopping with a small business is supporting a family
The report notes that one in five small business are family owned.
3. The money you spend ends up back in your community
“For every dollar spent at a small business in the U.S., approximately 67 cents stays in the local community,” according to the 2018 Small Business Economic Impact Study.
4. Locally owned businesses keep the community unique
At a small business, you are less likely to find something that is mass produced and can get anywhere. It’s more likely that you’ll find something that is unique and original.
5. It will cause a chain reaction.
“Local businesses are more likely to utilize other local businesses such as banks, service providers, and farms,” according to the US Department of Labor.
American Express created a guide for shoppers to participate in Small Business Saturday, but check your local resources for small businesses in your area. Happy shopping!
