Introduction
Small Business Saturday is a shopping holiday that takes place every year on the Saturday after Thanksgiving in the United States. It was created by American Express in 2010 as a way to encourage people to shop at small businesses during the holiday season. The day has been immensely successful, with millions of consumers participating each year and small businesses experiencing an increase in sales.
In this article, we will explore who started Small Business Saturday, how it has grown over the years, and what impact it has had on small businesses. We also look at success stories from participating small businesses and discuss ways that consumers can support local businesses year-round.
Interview with Founders of Small Business Saturday
To gain a better understanding of Small Business Saturday and the people behind it, we spoke to two of the founders of the holiday: Mallory Blackwelder, Vice President of US Card Member Benefits at American Express, and Marla Miller, Senior Vice President of Global Advertising and Brand Management at American Express.
Blackwelder and Miller explained that the idea for Small Business Saturday came about as a way to promote small businesses during the holiday season. American Express saw an opportunity to not only support small businesses but also to create a sense of community around shopping local. They wanted to create a special day dedicated to small businesses, one that would bring attention to the importance of supporting local economies.
When asked about the challenges they faced when starting the holiday, Blackwelder and Miller said that getting the word out about Small Business Saturday was one of the biggest hurdles. They worked hard to make sure that small businesses were aware of the initiative and that consumers knew how to participate. They also had to find ways to make the holiday stand out from all the other shopping days during the holiday season.
Analyzing the Impact of Small Business Saturday
Since its inception in 2010, Small Business Saturday has had a tremendous impact on small businesses. According to research conducted by the National Federation of Independent Businesses, more than 100 million consumers participated in Small Business Saturday in 2018, spending an estimated $17.8 billion at small businesses that day. This is a significant increase from 2017, when consumers spent $15.4 billion on Small Business Saturday.
Small Business Saturday has also helped to raise awareness about the importance of supporting local economies. Consumers have come to understand the value of shopping local and the positive impact it has on their communities. Many small businesses have seen an increase in sales due to Small Business Saturday, which has allowed them to invest back into their businesses and create jobs.
When compared to other shopping holidays such as Black Friday and Cyber Monday, Small Business Saturday stands out as being focused on supporting small businesses. While these other holidays are primarily aimed at big-box stores and online retailers, Small Business Saturday is all about celebrating small businesses and helping them to thrive.
Tracing the History of Small Business Saturday
The first Small Business Saturday took place on November 27th, 2010. American Express launched the initiative as a way to encourage people to shop at small businesses during the holiday season. The company ran a series of promotions and advertisements to get the word out about Small Business Saturday.
Since then, Small Business Saturday has become an annual event. Every year, American Express continues to run promotions and advertisements to spread the word about the holiday. Additionally, many cities and states have started to recognize Small Business Saturday as an official holiday, with some even offering tax incentives for shoppers who participate.
Over the years, Small Business Saturday has grown in popularity. More and more consumers are recognizing the importance of supporting small businesses and are taking part in the holiday each year. Small Business Saturday has also become an important part of the holiday shopping season, with many people choosing to shop local during the holiday rather than opting for big-box stores.
Success Stories from Participating Small Businesses
Small Business Saturday has been a huge success for many small businesses. Many small businesses have reported seeing an increase in sales on Small Business Saturday, allowing them to invest back into their businesses and create jobs. Other small businesses have used the holiday to launch new products or services, or to test out different marketing strategies.
One example is a small bookstore in San Francisco called The Booksmith. The store has seen an increase in sales on Small Business Saturday each year, with customers coming from all over the city to shop. The store has also been able to use the day to launch new products and services, such as hosting book readings and providing discounts to customers who purchase multiple books.
Another example is a small clothing boutique in Chicago called Local Charm. The store has seen an increase in sales on Small Business Saturday every year since they opened in 2011. They have used the day as an opportunity to introduce new products and to promote their brand. They have also used the holiday to connect with customers and build relationships with the local community.
Supporting Local Businesses Year-Round
While Small Business Saturday is an excellent way to support small businesses during the holiday season, there are plenty of ways to support small businesses year-round. Here are a few tips for consumers to support small businesses:
- Shop at small businesses whenever possible.
- Share your favorite small businesses with friends and family.
- Leave reviews for small businesses on social media, Yelp, and Google.
- Attend events hosted by small businesses.
- Purchase gift cards from small businesses.
For small business owners, there are also plenty of ways to maximize profits year-round. Here are a few ideas:
- Offer discounts and loyalty programs to customers.
- Engage with customers on social media.
- Host events to draw in customers.
- Partner with other local businesses.
- Participate in community events.
Conclusion
Small Business Saturday is a shopping holiday that has had a tremendous impact on small businesses and local economies. It was created by American Express in 2010 as a way to encourage people to shop at small businesses during the holiday season. Since then, the holiday has grown in popularity, with millions of consumers participating each year and small businesses experiencing an increase in sales.
We have also heard success stories from participating small businesses and discussed ways that consumers can support local businesses year-round. Small Business Saturday is an important part of the holiday shopping season, and it is a great way to show support for small businesses during the holiday season and beyond.
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