MORE SO THAN EVER, SHOPPERS PLANNING TO VISIT A SMALL BUSINESS THIS WEEKEND
HARTFORD (November 23, 2015)–As small business
owners across the nation gear up this week for Small Business Saturday, a record number of shoppers are making plans to
support their favorite local businesses. According to the fourth-annual Small
Business Saturday Consumer Insights Survey, released by the National Federation
of Independent Businesses (NFIB) and
American Express, supporting local small businesses continues to be a priority
for shoppers nationwide.
“As we continue to hear from small businesses that
the uncertain economic climate in Connecticut is causing them to question
whether or not to remain here, this year more so than ever, it is vital that we
support our small businesses on Small Business Saturday,” according to
Andrew Markowski, NFIB Connecticut state director.
Small Business Saturday was
created by American Express in 2010 as a response to small business owners’
most pressing need: getting more customers. Held on the Saturday following
Thanksgiving, Small Business Saturday helps rally communities to support local
businesses. As Small Business Saturday enters its sixth year, 55 percent of
U.S. consumers report they are aware of the day – the highest figure yet
recorded – and even more encouraging, 83 percent say Small Business Saturday
inspires them to Shop Small all year long.
“People are finally wising up
to the absurdity of fighting over electronics just a few minutes after pushing
away from the Thanksgiving table. Small Business Saturday has now become a
major part of the holiday shopping tradition, as community members celebrate
local small business owners by patronizing their places of businesses on the
Saturday after Thanksgiving,” continued Markowski. “The day is dedicated to
increasing awareness of the hard working small business owners that are just
around the corner from our homes.”
Additional findings
from the Small Business Saturday Consumer Insights Survey include:
- 80% of
consumers are willing to pay slightly more for an item if it is purchased
from a small, independently-owned retailer as opposed to online or at a
large retailer - On
average, consumers are planning to do 35% of their holiday shopping at
small businesses - 45% 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
two-thirds (64%) of consumers who plan to shop on Small Business Saturday
are motivated by the contributions that small businesses make to their
community
“The results
of this year’s survey are certainly promising and our members are preparing for
a very busy weekend ahead. We encourage everyone to stay home and enjoy the
holiday with their families, and then shop
small on Saturday,” concluded Markowski.
