Shop Small Business Saturday on Nov. 30
Small Business Saturday, a shop local incentive supported and advertised by American Express and held on the Saturday following Thanksgiving, has become the latest way to show support for small, independently owned and operated businesses across the country.
Although a relatively new idea, SBS has proven a worthy contender in the frenzied holiday shopping season. Launched on Nov. 27, 2010 and placed on Facebook at facebook.com/shopsmall, SBS received 1.2 million ‘likes’ in its first month. Early the following year, the U. S. Senate officially recognized Small Business Saturday 2011 and in 2012, according to Small Business Saturday Consumer Insights Survey by the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) and American Express, consumers spent an estimated $5.5 billion on Nov. 26, 2012, that year’s SBS.
County Executive MaryEllen Odell loves the idea of promoting small businesses in this way.
“Small Business Saturday is a wonderful way to promote our Main Street businesses. Everyone comes out ahead when consumers shop locally: the merchants, for certain and that keeps our Main Streets thriving but shopping locally also increasing our sales tax revenues which in turn helps to lower our property taxes,” she said.
Shopping locally does give the local economy a boost. According to research firm Civic Economics, for every $100 spent at a local store, approximately $68 stays within the community. Not so if a consumer shops at a chain store ($43) or online (next to nothing). By shopping locally, consumers are actually raising money to support their schools, fire and police department, even their roads. Shopping locally also helps to create jobs which can actually help to raise real estate values.
Chairwoman Putnam County Chamber of Commerce Chairwoman Jennifer Maher is completely supportive of the Small Business Saturday campaign. It’s all about being ‘local.’
“Businesses in Putnam County are in need of our support. Small Business Saturday is a way to promote buying locally which supports the local economy and local jobs,” Maher said. “Small Business Saturday will provide an opportunity for Putnam county residents to show their community spirit while putting money back into our County coffers.”
Not to mention back into their wallets.
American Express cardholders may register starting at 12 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 24 for a $10 Amex statement credit for shopping small on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2013, this year’s SBS. Card Members must spend $10 or more in a single, in-store transaction.
To find out which small businesses in Putnam County are participating in SBS and to see a map and list of the small business names, visit www.ShopSmall.com
“Enjoy big shopping by shopping small – and local – this year,” said Odell.
