How to Support Small Businesses on Small Business Saturday
Small Business Saturday is a yearly event that takes place in between Black Friday and Cyber Monday, and was created to help small businesses participate in the holiday shopping season. Consumers are encouraged to to shop small and buy handmade this Christmas.
Most independent shops find it incredibly difficult to compete with the holiday offers and Black Friday Sales the big brands offer. As holiday sales are often relied upon by small businesses to keep their shops open, it's an incredibly important time of the year.
If you don't want your favourite local shops and small businesses to disappear, it's essential to shop with them this holiday season and beyond. Shopping small and supporting independents helps to support the local economy, build community, and boost local employment.
Here is how you can support small businesses on Small Business Saturday and every day.
Shop Early
The holiday season is often overwhelming for small businesses. Every year the rush to buy gifts gets later and later meaning products sell out and restocks can't be made in time. If you want to support independent makers, plan your gift purchases and start gift shopping earlier. You'll be helping small businesses to manage their workload, and ensure your gifts arrive in time for the big day.
Browse Gift Guides
In a sea of big name brands, it can be difficult to find small, independent makers to buy gifts from. One way to make gift shopping easier is to browse online gift guides, like the Birmingham Independent Small Business Gift Guide. Take a look around your local area too. No doubt you'll discover small independent shops and local designer-makers to buy gifts from. Around the holiday season, there are always handmade craft markets where you can gift shop in person too.
Buy Gifts
The best way to support small businesses is to spend your money with them. Instead of heading to the high street to shop at big stores, try you local independent gift shops instead. You could do all your gift shopping at home by browsing the online gift guide. Just don't wait until the last minute if you want your gift to arrive in time.
Buy Gift Cards
Gift cards are an excellent way to buy the perfect gift while supporting independent designer-makers. You'll be helping their small business generate immediate revenue from the gift card sales, while allowing your loved ones to pick the exact gift they want. It takes all the guesswork out of gifting, and no one ends up receiving a gift they don't like.
Share, Subscribe, and Shoutout
There are so many ways you can support small businesses. Share your favourite local businesses and independent designer-makers by sending links to friends and family. Follow them on social media, and engage with their posts to give them a boost. If you've purchased from them before, leave a review - this really helps make their shop more visible online. Don't forget to subscribe to the newsletter for seasonal offers.
