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

Date: November 23, 2015

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

BOSTON
(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 in Massachusetts. 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.

“Every
year we see people jumping up from the Thanksgiving table and running into big
box stores to fight over electronics before the oven has even cooled off. But
many folks are also realizing that using small businesses for holiday shopping
is a much better experience,” according to Bill Vernon, NFIB Massachusetts
state director.

Small Business Saturday was created by
American Express in 2010 as a response to small business owners’ most pressing
need after the recession: getting more customers. Held on the Saturday
following Thanksgiving, Small Business Saturday helps rally consumers to
support the local businesses that support the community. 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 has become a
major part of the holiday shopping tradition, as community members celebrate
local small business owners by patronizing their places of businesses the
Saturday after Thanksgiving,” continued Vernon. “The day is dedicated to
increasing awareness of the hard working small business owners that are just
around the corner from our homes. And consumers can also find a unique gift and
good deals at a small local retailer with a knowledgeable sales person,
possibly the business owner, who wants to earn and keep their business.”

 

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. Thanks to the support of lawmakers, including the
Governor who is preparing a proclamation for shopping local on Main Streets
throughout the Commonwealth, shopping small this holiday season has become a
true community wide event,” concluded Vernon.

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