LINCOLN, Neb., Nov. 25, 2015—Gov. Pete Ricketts and the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), the state’s and nation’s largest and leading small-business association, are teaming up to make every Nebraskan aware of this coming Saturday’s march on Main Street.
The governor has declared November 28 Small Business Saturday in an official proclamation issued last week, and NFIB, together with American Express, are stepping on their gas pedals with free advice and free advertising for Nebraska’s mom-and-pop, Main Street enterprises.
“Our joint awareness campaign with American Express is aimed at pulling some of the holiday shopping out of the malls and onto Main Street,” said Bob Hallstrom, NFIB’s Nebraska state director. “We’re delighted the governor has added some official recognition to the effort.”
Started by American Express in 2010, Small Business Saturday has since become a huge success, last year drawing 88 million customers who spent $14.3 billion dollars, according to American Express’s research. This year, AMEX says 55 percent of U.S. customers are aware of the special day. Additionally, its research found:
- 80 percent of consumers are willing to pay slightly more for an item if its purchased from a small, independently-owned retailer as opposed to online or at a larger retailer
- On average consumers are planning to do 35 percent of their holiday shopping at small businesses
- 45 percent of consumers who expect to shop on the day plan to spend more on Small Business Saturday this year than they spent last year
- Almost 64 percent of consumers who plan to shop on Small Business Saturday are motivated by the contributions that small businesses make to their community.
“Surveys taken by NFIB since the Great Recession have found small businesses desirous of one thing more than any other: Customers! Lower taxes and fewer regulations are always helpful, but more customers walking through the shop door is tops. Increasing sales is lifting the foot off of the Superman’s cape of job-creation and healthy economies,” said Hallstrom.
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For more than 70 years, the National Federation of Independent Business has been the Voice of Small Business, taking the message from Main Street to the halls of Congress and all 50 state legislatures. NFIB annually surveys its members on state and federal issues vital to their survival as America’s economic engine and biggest creator of jobs. NFIB’s educational mission is to remind policymakers that small businesses are not smaller versions of bigger businesses; they have very different challenges and priorities.
National Federation of Independent Business/Nebraska
233 South 13th St., Suite 700
Lincoln, NE 68501-0008
402-474-3570
Twitter: @NFIB_NE
