Nov. 30—GREENSBURG — Today is Small Business Saturday, and shoppers are urged to shop small and/or locally owned businesses when filling shopping lists for friends and family.
Small Business Saturday is a marketing initiative created and promoted by American Express to encourage holiday shopping on the Saturday after Thanksgiving, during one of the busiest shopping periods of the year. This Saturday is always the last one in November, so it falls between Nov. 24 and 30.
According to Wikipedia, Small Business Saturday was first observed in the United States on Nov. 27, 2010.
Small Business Saturday is a counterpart to Black Friday and Cyber Monday, which feature big box retail and e-commerce stores respectively.
By contrast, Small Business Saturday encourages holiday shoppers to patronize brick and mortar businesses that are small and local. Small Business Saturday is a registered trademark of American Express.
The first event was created in partnership with the non-profit National Trust for Historic Preservation, Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino, and Roslindale, Massachusetts Village Main Street organization.
The holiday was promoted via a nationwide radio and television advertising campaign. That year, Amex bought advertising inventory on Facebook, which it in turn gave to its small merchant account holders, and also gave rebates to new customers to promote the event.
According to American Express, for every dollar spent at a local business, over two-thirds — $0.68 — stays within the community, further fueling economic growth and vitality. In fact, small businesses, which account for 99% of all businesses in the U.S. and represent roughly 40% of the economy, are essential to the strength of our nation.
Shopping local is a passion for Decatur County Chamber of Commerce Director Dawn Lowe.
"Shopping local is more than just a transaction, it's an investment in our community," she said. "Local businesses are the heartbeat of the places we call home, fueling the local economy by creating jobs, generating tourism, and increasing the tax base. These businesses are the backbone of our neighborhoods, providing opportunities for growth and prosperity for families and individuals alike.
"When you choose to shop local, you're not only supporting the entrepreneurs and families behind these businesses, but you're also sparking innovation and fostering healthy competition.
"Local businesses drive creativity and contribute to the uniqueness of our communities, setting the stage for a vibrant, diverse marketplace. Because of these interactions, businesses often work hand-in-hand with non-profits and other community organizations, creating successful campaigns which promote cooperation and amplify the impact of local causes.