Small business Saturday has big track record
“Shop Small” has maintained a big track record across the country as consumers again prepare to come out the Saturday after Thanksgiving to support independent businesses in their communities.
Nestled between Black Friday and Cyber Monday, Small Business Saturday is an opportunity for shoppers to get a great deal locally while supporting the backbone of America’s economy, according to the National Federation of Independent Businesses (NFIB).
The one-day event on Nov. 26 is dedicated to supporting brick-and-mortar merchants that give back largely to their communities.
“The awareness of it has certainly grown nationwide and locally to becoming a household word,” said Debra Keefer, executive director of the Mon Valley Chamber of Commerce.
Shoppers showed no lack of local enthusiasm as they turned last year’s Small Business Saturday into a record-breaker, according to NFIB.
Estimates peg the day’s spending at $16.2 billion, a 14 percent increase from 2014. Also, more than 95 million consumers shopped at small businesses, the most ever for the event.
More than 200 federal officials and agencies took to social media Small Business Saturday posting support on Facebook and Twitter, and elected officials in all 50 states shopped small, Business Wire reported.
Founded in 2010 by American Express, the event is geared to help small businesses get more exposure during one of the biggest shopping weekends of the year.
“In an uncertain economy, America’s small businesses have remained a beacon, creating good jobs and supporting the families they employ and the communities around them,” said NFIB CEO Dan Danner.
Small Business Saturday is now one of the biggest shopping days of the year, noted American Express.
Customers specifically focus their attention on the small and local businesses that are such an important part of their communities.
“Shop Small” is a great way for local “mom and pop” merchants to collectively advertise their products at the beginning of the biggest retail season of the year, said Bob Shark, Fay-Penn executive director.
He said when savvy business combine that exposure with quality, service, convenience, pricing, or other unique features it sets them apart from the competition.
“Our local owners need to offer that added value if they want to be successful in the long run against larger chain stores,” said Shark.
In Charleroi, Keefer said Small Business Saturday ushers in the holiday season with various events coordinated by downtown merchants.
Connellsville Chamber of Commerce will once again hold a scavenger hunt around town from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in conjunction with Small Business Saturday.
A list of clues available at the chamber will lead people to downtown businesses to shop. Several participating stores will also offer discounts.
This is the second year Waynesburg Prosperous and Beautiful (WPB) and Greene County’s Buy Local program is organizing the event.
Barbara Kirby, vice president of WPB’s board of directors, said downtown stakeholders and merchants are focusing on drawing attention to and getting residents to think about shopping local.
“Merchants have been doing a lot leading up to it,” said Kirby. “It’s too good to pass up.”
In Uniontown, the event was previously organized by the city’s Main Street program funded by a grant, which ended last year.
Muriel Nuttall, executive director of Fayette Chamber of Commerce, said time constraints have made it difficult to find another entity to take over for this year.
However, Nuttall said the chamber’s fledgling Small Business Resource Council plans to spearhead the event next year as the chamber is working to become part of the American Express Small Business Saturday coalition.
Although the event plays an key role in supporting local merchants during the holiday, Gina Lynn, executive director of Greater Rostraver Chamber of Commerce, said its presence should be reflected year round.
“I embrace the feeling of why wait for Small Business Saturday,” said Lynn. “We should be supporting our small businesses every day.”
Those interested in joining the Be Local Network can contact Ted Flowers at 724-425-7231 or by email at tflowers@heraldstandard.com. Discount cards are available at the Herald-Standard, 8 E. Church St., Uniontown, and at the Greene County Messenger, 82 W. High St., Waynesburg.