Support Local Economic Growth
Saturday, November 28, 2015 is Small Business Saturday®. It is an important opportunity to support local businesses with patronage. By supporting local business on this date, we demonstrate as consumers how important local businesses are to our community, and we support the growth of job development within the community.
American Express helped launch Small Business Saturdays on November 27, 2010. The U.S. Small Business Association also provides advertising and marketing support for the event. The idea was originated to offset the massive spending by consumers on Black Friday and Cyber Monday at big box retailers and online outlets. In 2011, the date was officially designated with huge support from Washington D.C. to Washington state, including the governors, mayors, congress and the President. Local consumers across the nation supported their neighborhood businesses in 2014 by spending an estimated $14.3 billion at small businesses.
When one chooses to shop in his or her locally owned stores, they are not only saving themselves time by not travelling to other destinations, but they likely are also saving money. Traveling out of town for one’s shopping needs requires the cost of gas, time away from home or work and, depending upon where you go, could also mean a higher sales tax. If you are an Internet shopper, you may save time, but not always money. After all, those shipping costs can quickly add up.
Why not make a conscious effort to do as much local shopping as possible? The benefits to you and your community are many.
Small business owners are known for their contributions to the many nonprofit agencies that in turn help our friends, neighbors and colleagues. In fact, statistics show those locally owned and operated stores are two and half times more likely to donate to nonprofit agencies than the large chain stores. Small business owners are the ones who take the money they earn and reinvest it into their community with their own purchases of goods and services. Can the same be said for the “big box” stores? By shopping at locally owned stores you are not only helping to stimulate the local economy, but you may likely be helping other people in the community who rely upon several of our non-profits during the down times in their lives.
Locally here in Edmonds, the Chamber of Commerce and The Downtown Edmond Business Association are actively promoting major events to help drive shoppers to its downtown business core.
With its Art Walks, the next one of which is scheduled for November 19, many travel to our locally owned stores. There are also several networking breakfasts one can take advantage of to learn more about the locally owned businesses and meet their owners. The Edmonds Chamber of Commerce is also sponsoring a Preferred Business Directory booklet for Friday November 6, to help advertise local businesses.
The city also plans a seasonal Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony, complete with a visit from Santa, (with free pictures with the jolly ole soul for the kiddies), snacks, and carols on November 28 at downtown’s Centennial Plaza, on the corner of Fifth Ave. N. and Bell St. The event is sponsored by Shooby Doo Catering, Dewar, Meeks, & Ekrems, the Edmonds Center for the Arts, Edmonds Family Medicine, Chermak Construction, The Edmonds Yacht Club, The Driftwood Players, The Little Gym, Heritage Bank, the Edmonds Conference Center, Panera Bread, the Rusty Pelican, Wells Fargo Advisors, My Edmonds News, the Woodway Influence, Hometown Values Coupon Magazine and Chase Bank.
The Downtown Edmonds Business Association and the Edmonds Area Chamber of Commerce both support ShopSmall. Last year 100 small business in Edmonds participated. Some of the highlights included: free cookies and coffee at Citizens Bank of Edmonds, Paint Your Art Out offered 20 percent off on artist samples, Sacred Heart Gifts offered items at 50 percent off, Sterling’s also offered 50 percent off fall items and 30 percent off Christmas items; Silver Leaf Gems offered customers free holiday earrings with a $25 or more purchase.
The American Express’ website provides an excellent video explaining the concept and overall meaning of Small Business Saturdays.
In 2014, American Express states that 88 million people shopped small on Small Business Saturday®. They are encouraging local small businesses across the country to participate, expecting an even greater turnout this year.
American Express provides free marketing collateral and materials from their website including: printable signs, “Save the Date” cards, e-mail templates and social posts, Shop Small logos, Shop Small Merchandise, (including tote bags, buttons, balloons, a poster and a pennant), while supplies last, and Event Guides. Small businesses can also sign up to receive free ads throughout the year and be posted on the Shop Small Map hosted through the website. The ads and a listing on ShopSmall.com are free for participating small businesses.
ShopSmall.com also provides ideas for the event in their “Small Business Event Kit” online.
So, let’s all get together this holiday season and support our local businesses who help keep our communities vibrant with growth and economic opportunities. Afterall, it is a great way to preserve the traditional holiday seasons we all remembered growing up, for our children and our families.
