by Ann Glave
Founded by American Express in 2010, Small Business Saturday has become an important part of small businesses’ busiest shopping season. According to the 2019 Small Business Saturday Consumer Insights Survey, 70% of U.S. consumers are aware of Small Business Saturday. Small Business Saturday ensures that the consumers keep local businesses in mind as they buy gifts. Small businesses need our support now more than ever as they navigate and pivot from the effects of the coronavirus pandemic brought on in 2020.
Our small businesses are invested in the community – through the local economy and their personal investment. The money stays within the community by way of taxes, payrolls and purchases. Our owners are involved with local nonprofit organizations, school and community activities and projects, and you know them – they are family.
Saturday, November 27, 2021 is Small Business Saturday – a day to celebrate and support small businesses and all they do for their communities. However, with the arrival of the pandemic, every day should be Small Business Saturday. Fredericksburg VA Main Street encourages consumers to shop, dine and explore everyday as it is Small Business Saturday.
Support Small, Shop Small, Dine Small, this Holiday Season. Downtown Fredericksburg businesses have you covered for all your Holidays needs from food to books, from toys to long underwear.
Did you know?
- Small businesses accounted for 65% of all net new jobs over the past 17 years.
- Small businesses employ 77 million Americans.
- 89% of consumers agree that independent businesses contribute positively to local economies.
- Residential neighborhoods served by a successful independent business district gained, on average, 50% more in home values than their citywide markets.
- Independent retailers return more than three times as much money per dollar of sales than chain competitors. Independent restaurants return more than two times as much money per dollar of sales than national restaurant chains.
- If just half the U.S. employed population spent $50 each month in locally owned independent businesses, it would generate more than $42.6 billion in revenue.
- For every square foot a local firm occupies, the local economy gains $179 vs. $105 for a chain store.
Sources: Small Business Administration; Intuit Small Business Innovation Study; American Express OPEN Independent Retail Index; Civic Economics/American Booksellers Assoc., U.S. Dept. of Labor
