Local businesses gear up for Small Business Saturday

By Megan Miller, Editor

TRUSSVILLE – Small businesses and consumers are gearing up to support their favorite local, independent businesses on small business Saturday, set to take place on Nov. 26.

According to a press release from the NFIB, more than 62 percent of consumers who are aware of Small Business Saturday and who plan to shop locally on the day said the main reason they plan to do so is because they value the contributions small businesses make to their community.

Small Business Saturday is held annually on the Saturday following Thanksgiving and was founded by American Express as a response to small business owners’ most pressing need: getting more customers through their doors, rallying communities to support local businesses and helping kick off a successful holiday sales period.

“Since its inception, Small Business Saturday has brought national attention to supporting the local businesses we love,” Elizabeth Rutledge, Executive Vice President, Global Advertising & Brand Management at American Express, said. “Small Business Saturday reminds consumers of how valuable small businesses are to our communities, and we are incredibly proud to be the founding partner.”

Layne Ross with the Straw Hat in downtown Trussville said one-on-one customer service is the top priority for a small business.

“I love getting to network with the town residents,” Ross said. “We’ll be promoting the fall season fashion and Christmas fashion.”

One average, 33 percent of consumers holiday spending this year is expected to be done at small retailers or restaurants, which is on par with last year. 76 percent said they will visit at least one small business as part of their overall holiday shopping, which is also on par with last year, and 91 percent reported that supporting small, independently-owned bars and restaurants is important to them.

“Small businesses across the nation are often run by the friends, family and neighbors that we know so well, so supporting them is not only personal but critical to their success,” Juanita Duggan, NFIB CEO and President, said.

Nearly eight in 10 consumers said they are willing to pay more for an item if it is purchased from a small, independently-owned retailer, as opposed to an online or large retailer. Of those aware of Small Business Saturday, 67 percent plan to spend at least $100 at a small business on Small Business Saturday, a two percent increase from 2015.

Businesses local to Trussville such as Katherine Cindia Designs, DeDe’s Book Rack and Carroll Pharmacy will be offering specials on Small Business Saturday.

Katherine Cindia Designs will be offering specials and refreshment from 10 a.m.-2p.m. The company is a mother/daughter interior design duo that in addition to interiors, also offers wedding and event décor and graphic design services.

DeDe’s Book Rack will be offering 10 percent off any purchase. Carroll Pharmacy will be offering an extra 10 percent off any gift shop purchase with a donation at the point of sale.

Each year, consumers make it a tradition to share their Small Business Saturday experiences on social media. This year consumers and small businesses can share their experiences using the hashtags #ShopSmall, #SmallBizSat and #DineSmall on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.