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Edmond Life and Leisure - November 21, 2024
Small Business Saturday is Nov. 30
Small Business Saturday is an annual event that takes place nationwide on the Saturday following Thanksgiving to encourage more holiday shopping at small businesses. Every year, we spread the Shop Small campaign wider than just Small Business Saturday because small businesses need our support yearround. The day has grown into an annual holiday shopping tradition.
We are blessed in Edmond with many locally owned small businesses. Downtown Edmond is full of them and a great place to go for your Christmas shopping list. I like it because it is outside like the old Penn Square Mall days when you really felt that nip in the air while shopping. We have so many wonderful places to eat and the merchants have made sure there are plenty of activities to keep the entire family happy.
In 2010, in an effort to support local small businesses – many of whom were hurting during the economic recession – American Express launched Small Business Saturday to help drive more holiday shopping to small businesses. One year after the launch, local officials across the nation noticed and promoted the day. In 2011, the Senate unanimously passed a resolution in support of Small Business Saturday and by 2012 officials in all fifty states began to participate – and they have every year since.
Now more than ever, small businesses need our support. Please join SBA and organizations across the country as they celebrate small business contributions to their communities by shopping at a small business on November 30, Small Business Saturday. By designating a day in their honor, we are reminded that these businesses rely on our patronage during critical consumer shopping seasons as well as year-round. This year, support for small businesses is especially important as consumers are expected to spend $191 less at small businesses this holiday season, a 40% downturn from last year, as rising costs and continued inflationary pressures are causing a pullback on spending.
This could cause a strain on small businesses in Edmond who rely on holiday sales to drive a profit, as 61% say holiday revenue is a key factor in the success of their business, according to data from Quickbooks. When locally owned stores do not make a profit, they go away. I just cringe when I hear folks say, “What ever happened to…” or “I really miss…I just loved that store.” Now is the time to do something to help folks. Skip the big box stores and shop locally.
There are 33.2 million small businesses in the U.S., and they make up 99% of all businesses. For the past 20 years, small businesses have accounted for roughly 40% of the United States’ gross domestic output (GDP), which equates to trillions of dollars of economic activity.
While total consumer spending is expected to be down, one positive outlook for small businesses this season is that consumers remain loyal to supporting and shopping small. Nearly half of consumers (47%) said a key reason they choose to shop at a small business over a larger retailer is their desire to contribute to their communities and support overall entrepreneurial success.
When you support a local business, you are also supporting Edmond by way of paying sales tax.
The sales tax money is used to support public schools, parks, roads, and sidewalks, as well as fund public service workers, like firefighters.
Small businesses are deeply engaged in their communities, so supporting a small business supports your local community. Think about it, folks. Who do local charities and organizations turn to in Edmond for help with fundraising and sponsorships? According to the MetLife and U.S. Chamber Small Business Index, nearly all small businesses owners agree that community engagement is important for their business—and are actively engaged in giving back in several ways—including hosting or sponsoring community events, donating to local charities, and forming partnerships with other local businesses.
The items found in small businesses are often made by hand in small batches, resulting in one-ofa-kind pieces. Local stores may also be able to offer customized products, hands-on service, and other personal touches that big box stores cannot. In fact, 52% of consumers say they purchase from small businesses to find unique gifts or offerings that cannot be found at big retailers.
Additionally, consumers looking to avoid the stressors of holiday shopping are favoring small businesses. According to QuickBooks, 1 in 3 consumers say a desire to avoid crowded or busy big retail stores during the holiday shopping rush motivates them to shop small.
Support the small businesses in your area and shop local – especially during Small Business Saturday on November 30th. Be sure to share your shop small experiences on social media using #ShopSmall and thank the businesses you visit for their contributions to our neighborhoods.
With the growth of the digital economy, more and more entrepreneurs are starting or moving their businesses online. This year, the majority of consumers plan to shop equally online and in-person for the holidays (compared with only 26% who say they plan to shop primarily in-person and 23% who say they plan to shop primarily online).
On this page is a piece submitted by Stephanie
Carel, owner of Silver Leaf Gems in downtown Edmond. She does do much for her community and is responsible for all the activities you see during Christmas and throughout the year in downtown Edmond. I thought it would be good to hear from an important locally owned business about Small business Saturday:
(Ray Hibbard may be reached at ray@edmondpaper.com)
Why this day is so important for so many
Being a small business owner has always been a tough job, but the people who choose this path are doing it for the vision and passion of their products or services. It is their dream to support themselves and their families. The highs and lows that come with owning your own business can sometimes be exhausting. There is no time clock for a business owner, as there is always something that needs to be done. With those lows comes amazing heights, like getting to know your customers on a personal level and building relationships that can last a lifetime.
During the holidays, patronizing small is the biggest way you can support those business owners. Not only are you supporting a dream, but you are supporting those that give back the most to our city. Small businesses give more donations to schools and organizations than any large box
store or online shopping site. In fact, .68 cents of every dollar spent in a small store stays in that community. And 99.9% of all businesses in the country are owned by small business owners, and many of those are minorities. Those small businesses generate 1.5 million jobs, resulting in 64% of all new jobs in the United States. Those are some great numbers and a bigger reason to Shop Small! With such impressive numbers, you can see why it is so American to shop small!
So, when you are making those Thanksgiving shopping plans with your family and friends, Come to Downtown Edmond on November 30th to help us celebrate our small businesses and their hard-working owners and employees.
Stephanie Carel Co-Owner Silver Leaf Gems
