Last Year’s Event Saw Local Businesses Generate $5.7 Billion
With the nation’s corporate retailers preparing for “Black Friday” shoppers over the Thanksgiving weekend, American Express is once again promoting its “Small Business Saturday” campaign, which encourages shoppers to do their holiday shopping at independently-owned stores in their home towns. American Express launched the event in 2010 and, according to the company, it has grown to more than 1,400 neighborhoods nationwide.
Suzanne Collins, state communications director for NFIB Pennsylvania, said that last year locally-owned retailers and restaurants generated $5.7 billion in sales nationally on Small Business Saturday, marking a 3.6 percent increase from 2012. NFIB works with American Express to promote the event.
NFIB has you covered: Holiday Survival Guide for Small Business
What This Means For Small Business:
Many retailers rely on sales over the Thanksgiving weekend to push them into profitability for the year. The focus on local business provided by Small Business Saturday may give local retailers attention they might not otherwise get.
Additional Reading:
The New York Daily News, the Scranton (PA) Times Tribune, the Hattiesburg (MS) American, the Fairbanks (AK) News-Miner, the Lower Hudson Valley (NY) Journal News, and the website of KTVB-TV are among the many local media outlets providing regional coverage of the event.
Related:
Find where to Shop Small in your area by visiting www.nfib.com/smallbizsaturday
