Shopping local benefits everyone

RBC | ‘Tis the season to Shop Small®! Small businesses will welcome customers Saturday, Nov. 25 for the eighth annual Small Business Saturday.
Created by American Express in 2010 as a way to help small businesses get more customers, Small Business Saturday is held annually on the Saturday following Thanksgiving. Now entering its eighth year, the day is embraced by independent merchants of all kinds—from traditional brick and mortar retailers to service providers to e-commerce businesses. And as consumer shopping habits continue to evolve, they are prioritizing small businesses—even those online: the report found that 59 percent of consumers said they are likely to seek out a small, independently-owned retailer when shopping online on Small Business Saturday.
“Small Business Saturday provides people an opportunity to discover and celebrate the variety of small businesses that make their communities thrive,” said Elizabeth Rutledge, Executive Vice President, Global Advertising and Brand Management at American Express. “Beyond visiting their favorite go-to spots, shoppers say Small Business Saturday inspires them to visit places they have not been to before and would not have otherwise tried.”
Among those who are aware and who plan to shop on Small Business Saturday this year, 65 percent say the main reason they will support local, independently-owned retailers and restaurants is because they value the contributions small businesses make to their community.
The 2017 Small Business Saturday Consumer Insights Survey found:
As much as 80 percent of all consumers surveyed say at least some of their holiday shopping will be done at small, independently-owned retailers or restaurants;
Three-quarters (75 percent) of all consumers surveyed are planning on going to one or more small businesses as part of their holiday shopping;
90 percent of all consumers surveyed agree it is important for them to support small, independently-owned restaurants and bars;
Of consumers who are aware of Small Business Saturday, 89 percent agree that the day encourages them to Shop Small all year long, not just during the holiday season;
For those who are aware and who plan to shop on Small Business Saturday, 44 percent plan to spend more this year compared to last year.
“Supporting small businesses is critical to the health and livelihood of our national economy and local communities,” said NFIB CEO and President Juanita Duggan. “We are proud to partner with American Express to bring attention to the importance of small business and look forward to another successful Small Business Saturday.”
Consumers have made it a tradition each year to share their love for Small Business Saturday on social media, and all are encouraged to show off their favorite independently-owned businesses by using #ShopSmall and #SmallBizSat on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. This year, American Express is also encouraging consumers to RSVP on Facebook for reminders about the nationwide celebration to Shop Small.
To discover and share the impact shopping small has in your state, visit: www.shopsmall.com/ mystate.