The Saturday after Thanksgiving is Small Business Saturday, an opportunity for Main Street shops and restaurants to shine.

 

What began in 2010 as a way to support local businesses that were recovering from the Great Recession, has become one of the most robust shopping days of the year.

 

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to attract new customers, increase sales, and highlight the importance of shopping small all year ‘round.

 

Below are some tips and tricks to help your business have a successful Small Business Saturday:

 

• Promote in advance. Tell regular customers about your plans. Use signs, bag stuffers, and flyers to remind them to come back.
• Leverage social media. Use platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and X to post often about your Small Business Saturday deals.
• Showcase gift ideas. Group items with signs suggesting they’re perfect for Mom, grandparents, or kids. Restaurants can offer holiday specials or gift cards.
• Offer doorbusters. Exclusive deals at certain times of the day can drive traffic—just like the chain stores do.
• Partner with nearby businesses. Pool resources for advertising or in-store promotions. For example, if a customer buys at one store, suggest a complementary deal at another.