Small Business Saturday Ushers In Holiday Shopping For Local Businesses

By now you are likely full of turkey and turkey leftovers, but there’s no way you are done with all your holiday shopping. Seriously, there have to be people still left on your list. And with today being Small Business Saturday, it’s the perfect day to find those holiday gifts at one of your local shops.

American Express launched Small Business Saturday in 2010 as, “…a day dedicated to supporting small businesses on one of the busiest shopping weekends of the year.”

After all there’s Black Friday and Cyber Monday, the small businesses should get a day during the Thanksgiving weekend shopping too, especially after the rough year many had and .

Small Business Saturday asks, “millions of people to shop small at their favorite local stores and help fuel the economy. When we shop small, it will be huge.”

While Small Business Saturday is relatively new, it’s a concept that has gained national and local support. More than 2 million Facebook users have embraced it by “liking,” the Small Business Saturday Facebook page, and local merchants associations and chambers of commerce wholeheartedly support the idea.

“We very strongly promote buying locally and supporting the small business community; it is part of the Chamber’s mission,” said Tony Sheridan, President & CEO of the Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut. “Nine out of ten of our members are small businesses and we do everything we can to promote them. Anything that promotes small businesses is something we see as beneficial.”

Wendy Bury, head of the Stonington Borough Small Merchants Association, said while many small businesses do not accept American Express due to their higher rates and fees for merchants the day is a great message regardless of what form of payment is used.

“American Express has done a tremendous and effective promotion of shopping local,” Bury said. “Traditionally, the entire Thanksgiving weekend is a great weekend for local businesses and any further promotion of support for local businesses is fantastic.”

Tricia Cunningham, President of the , said Small Business Saturday is an important initiative but hoped consumers remembered to shop small and local all year round.

“Small, locally owned business owners live in our community, employ our friends and family, support our local non profits and are actively engaged in local economic development,” Cunningham said.

If you do have an American Express card though, to help fuel the economy and promote the event American express is offering any American Express cardholder who registers their card and spends $25 at a small business on Saturday, November 26, a $25 statement credit.