Having started in 2010, Small Business Saturday is a way to support local businesses during one of the busiest shopping times of the year. This holiday season, consumers will spend an average of $1,530 – a 7 percent increase from 2022 – on gifts, travel and entertainment.
As a key support system for communities large and small, Small Business Saturday is more than just another shopping day. It is a day to celebrate the investments small businesses make to thriving cities.
Here are a few reasons why supporting Small Business Saturday on November 25 can go a long way for your holiday shopping and your community.
Not just another Saturday
The first Small Business Saturday was on November 27, 2010, sandwiched between two major shopping dates in Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Wanting to help small businesses amidst the fervor of major holiday traffic, American Express devised a plan to give local retailers a leg up in the competition.
The credit card company used social media, buying ad space on Facebook that they then gave out to small businesses to use, along with giving incentives to cardholders to use specifically at small merchants. Thirteen years later Small Business Saturday has grown, becoming officially co-sponsored by the U.S. Small Business Administration, and has its own day in the United Kingdom.
Local boost
Shopping local is not only a boost on Small Business Saturday, but every day of the year. Whether it is grabbing a coffee at the local café, or perusing the latest bestsellers at the neighborhood bookstore, you are helping businesses keep that money in the community and sustaining jobs for residents.
It is estimated that spending during last year’s observance of the day reached $17.9 billion for independent retailers and restaurants around the country. A spate of successful local businesses helps spur growth and confidence that others can start thriving businesses as well.
Protection that matters
Running a small business is not easy. It takes time and effort to get an idea off the ground. However, putting the effort into providing a service for your community can reap many benefits along the way.
One way to invest in your small business is by getting quality insurance through Westwood. Protecting your business from the unexpected leaves you more time to focus on the things that really matter. Get a quote or talk to a Westwood agent today about how small business insurance can work for you.
Please Note: This article is for general informational and educational purposes only. It does not represent any specific insurance policy and does not modify any provisions, limitations, or exclusions of any current policy.
