Carol Johnson, Southern Indiana Business Report
Sandwiched between Black Friday and Cyber Monday, Small Business Saturday is designated for all the small businesses that make our downtowns and retail centers thrive.
This year, Small Business Saturday is Nov. 25. To highlight the small businesses in the Radius Indiana region, the Southern Indiana Business Report is highlighting some of the area’s mom-and-pops. SIBR kicked off the series Monday with Envision Designs, an Orange County retailer/manufacturer that turns donated upholstery fabric into purses, totes and baskets. Sales provide services to disabled adults at Orange County’s First Chance Center. In the coming days, SIBR will bring you stories of other businesses such as Fire Horse Yoga in Jasper, A Wonderful Life Home Decor & Gifts in Washington and El Camino’s in Salem.
Many merchant groups and chambers of commerce are promoting SBS with giveaways and other deals. You can find details on their social media pages, or visit businesses in your town.
“We might be slightly biased, but we say our Lawrence County small businesses, restaurants, and specialty shops are some of the best! Supporting small businesses is about more than just keeping their doors open,” said Sally Miller, membership and communications director at the Bedford Chamber. “Local stores employ local people, who spend money shopping locally, which helps create a thriving economy for the whole community.”
Small Business Saturday origins
Established in 2010, the day is now an important part of what is the busiest shopping season for small businesses.
“This has been an active year for many entrepreneurs and small businesses in the Radius region,” said Steve Bryant, executive director, Gayle and Bill Cook Center for Entrepreneurship at Ivy Tech Community College-Bloomington and regional director of the South Central Small Business Development Center. “Small Business Saturday is a prime opportunity to highlight the importance of supporting our small businesses on Main Streets throughout South Central Indiana as they prepare for the holiday season. The sales of most businesses come during the holiday months and anything we can do to help them remain strong is vital to the economic vitality of our community.”
American Express established the observance which is now co-sponsored by the Small Business Administration. There are 32 million independent businesses across the United States.
Historically, reported projected spending among U.S. consumers who shopped at independent retailers and restaurants on Small Business Saturday reached an estimated $17.9 billion according to the 2022 Small Business Saturday Consumer Insights Survey commissioned by American Express.
Dollars stay local
In the last few years, small businesses have had to navigate the coronavirus pandemic and retool their strategies to connect with customers whose shopping habits were drastically changed.
When in-person shopping was curtailed, retailers went online, doing live sales and increasing their social media presence to engage customers close to home and far away.
The pandemic caused many shoppers to shift their habits to online platforms, but nothing can compare to the personal service and experience of shopping close to home. We hope you’ll shop local this holiday season.