Chamber Champions Small Business Season
The Chamber is excited to lead the Shop Small movement again, celebrating Small Business Season from November 1 to December 31. This annual campaign highlights the impact of our local small businesses. It renews the Chamber’s commitment to the Small Business Saturday Coalition, a partnership that began with the first Small Business Saturday in 20101. This year’s Small Business Saturday falls on November 30, 2024.
From the beginning of November through the end of December, we celebrate the heart and soul of our community—our small businesses. Small Business Season and Small Business Saturday are dedicated to recognizing the hard work, creativity, and passion of the entrepreneurs behind our local shops, restaurants, and services, who bring unique character and vitality to our area.
Small Business Season is about more than just shopping; it’s about supporting the dreams and livelihoods of our neighbors, friends, and community members. Each purchase at a small business creates a ripple effect, contributing to local jobs, boosting the economy, and fostering connections that strengthen our community.
Supporting local businesses is crucial, especially during challenging economic times. In 2023, consumers spent an estimated $17 billion on Small Business Saturday alone, underscoring the significant impact of shopping locally. 2Studies show that about 67% of every dollar spent on small businesses stays within the local economy, fueling job creation, economic growth, and community development.3 Local businesses, in turn, often reinvest in their communities, supporting essential services and driving sustainable growth.
Chamber President & CEO Deidre Peterson encourages the community to continue supporting local businesses:
“Our local businesses need your support. Economic challenges continue to affect small business owners, but by choosing to shop locally, you’re helping to build a resilient, vibrant community. Every purchase strengthens our local economy and helps sustain the unique businesses we all know and love.”
With 88% of small business owners expressing a critical need for community support and 55% expecting that Small Business Saturday will significantly boost their holiday sales, the importance of this initiative is clear.4 Since its inception in 2010, Small Business Saturday has generated approximately $184 billion in spending at small businesses nationwide, a testament to its role in supporting local economies.
The Chamber’s participation in the Small Business Saturday Coalition Program helps spotlight the vital role of small businesses in our community. According to a recent survey, 97% of consumers who shopped on Small Business Saturday believe small businesses are essential to their community, and 95% reported that the day inspires them to support independent businesses all year long.
We encourage shoppers to pledge their support by using #ShopSmall on social media and following the Chamber on Facebook for updates. To find local retailers, explore the searchable Chamber Member Directory.
As we approach the 15th Annual Small Business Saturday on November 30, 2024, let’s celebrate the small businesses that make our community strong. American Express, the originator of Small Business Saturday, continues to work with organizations and independent businesses to support communities and uplift local economies. Learn more and join the movement at shopsmall.com.
- American Express. (2024). Small Business Saturday – American Express Shop Small Movement. Retrieved from americanexpress.com
American Express highlights the origins and ongoing influence of Small Business Saturday, first established in 2010 to foster consumer support for local businesses. This resource showcases the significant economic impact generated by the initiative, with $184 billion spent since inception, demonstrating its importance to communities nationwide. ↩︎ - Small Business Administration. (2023). Small Business Saturday – SBA Initiatives. Retrieved from sba.gov
The Small Business Administration details the success and community benefits of Small Business Saturday, citing the $17 billion spent in 2023 alone as evidence of its economic impact. This resource validates the importance of Small Business Saturday as a driver of local economic resilience and community engagement. ↩︎ - National Today. (2023). Small Business Saturday. Retrieved from nationaltoday.com
National Today’s profile on Small Business Saturday highlights how shopping local directly benefits communities, with approximately 67% of each dollar spent at a small business staying within the local economy. This source underscores the economic value of shopping small and the local job creation it supports. ↩︎ - Drive Research. (2023). Small Business Saturday Statistics. Retrieved from driveresearch.com
Drive Research presents data reflecting the need for community support among small business owners, noting that 88% see it as vital and 55% expect Small Business Saturday to boost their holiday sales. This insight emphasizes the value of local spending and its role in sustaining small businesses during critical shopping seasons. ↩︎
