New York City: #DidYouKnow Small Business Saturday is happening this weekend?
It’s the perfect time to show love to your favorite local small businesses! Explore businesses across the city by visiting https://t.co/RnT0YH6nXlhttps://t.co/Yp0GWWVl6F
— City of New York (@nycgov) November 29, 2024
Small Business Saturday has become an important event that encourages consumers to support local businesses during the holiday shopping season. The event, created by American Express in 2010, has made a significant economic impact on small businesses and their communities. According to Cameron Nakashima from the Better Business Bureau (BBB), approximately 68 cents of every dollar spent at a small business in the United States is reinvested back into the local economy.
Show some love for small businesses and #ShopSmall today and throughout the holiday season! 💙
Repost to spread the word! 🔁
— SBA (@SBAgov) December 1, 2024
The BBB is actively promoting Small Business Saturday, as many of the businesses they work with and accredit are small local shops that deserve recognition and support. To make the most of Small Business Saturday, the BBB suggests looking up events and deals in your area through the Small Business Saturday website or by visiting your local chamber of commerce or merchants’ association.
Supporting local on Saturday
Support small businesses on Small Business Saturday and every day! #ShopSmall pic.twitter.com/m8GXt4STMr
— SBA (@SBAgov) November 30, 2024
Nakashima also encourages shoppers to invite friends and family to join them in supporting local businesses, saying, “Unlike Black Friday, this isn’t a blitz – so plan to take your time at the stores and make it ‘a whole thing’ and invite a friend or family member to join.”
In addition to shopping small, the BBB encourages patrons to “eat small” by visiting independently owned restaurants, bakeries, and coffee shops. Shoppers should also look for the BBB seal in store windows as a mark of trust when making their purchases. For those who prefer online shopping, location filters in search engines like Google or Bing can be used to find nearby businesses by entering “[business type] near me.” On platforms like Facebook Marketplace and Etsy, filters can narrow results to a specific radius from home.
Nakashima also recommends using BBB.org to search local businesses and review their reputations. Small Business Saturday has proven to be a valuable opportunity for local businesses to showcase their unique offerings and attract customers during the busy holiday shopping season. By supporting these businesses, shoppers can help boost their local economy and contribute to the vibrancy of their communities.
