MORE SO THAN EVER, SHOPPERS PLANNING TO VISIT A SMALL BUSINESS THIS WEEKEND

MORE SO THAN EVER, SHOPPERS PLANNING TO VISIT A SMALL BUSINESS THIS WEEKEND

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SO THAN EVER, SHOPPERS PLANNING TO VISIT A SMALL BUSINESS THIS WEEKEND

ANNAPOLIS
(November 23, 2015)–As small business owners across the nation gear up for Small Business Saturday this week, 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.

“Black
Friday shopping has become so absurd it was only a matter of time before people
starting pushing back and demanding an experience that did not require them to
check their dignity at the door. Thankfully, that has left people with an even
deeper appreciation of the small business shopping experience,” According to
Mike O’Halloran, NFIB Maryland 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.

 

“Small business Saturday is dedicated to
increasing awareness of the hard working small business owners that are just
around the corner from our homes. Supporting them often means supporting the
same people that sponsor our local sporting events and are pillars in our
community,” Continued O’Halloran.

 

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 promising and our members are certainly gearing up for a very
busy weekend this weekend. Shopping small, especially during the holiday season
has become a true community wide event,” Concluded O’Halloran.