Celebrate small business: Make 'shopping small' a part of your holiday strategy

John Fleming
·2 min read

This year, we celebrate the 10th anniversary of Small Business Saturday’s recognition by the U.S. Senate. The SBA co-sponsored “shop small” observance was launched by American Express to support small businesses as our economy emerged from the Great Recession. Over the course of the following years, Americans embraced the day to support the small businesses that have been such strong supports to our communities.

Even as our nation contends with the COVID-19 pandemic, America’s support for small business is unwavering. In 2020, American shoppers spent $19.8 billion on Small Business Saturday. This year, forecasters are predicting an even bigger holiday shopping season.

That’s great news for small businesses nationwide and here, in Delaware. Many of our small businesses continue their recovery efforts, defying COVID-driven headwinds just to keep their doors open.

For those small businesses, upcoming Small Business Saturday efforts can be a lifeline.

Santa Claus, shown last year, returns Saturday for the 51st annual Wilmington Jaycees Christmas Parade, coordinated with Small Business Saturday in the city. After the Market Street parade, Santa also will make appearances at small businesses in the city.
Santa Claus, shown last year, returns Saturday for the 51st annual Wilmington Jaycees Christmas Parade, coordinated with Small Business Saturday in the city. After the Market Street parade, Santa also will make appearances at small businesses in the city.

This Small Business Saturday — Nov. 27 — let’s help to stem the tide for those Main Street mom-and-pops working tirelessly to turn the page on this pandemic. Let’s shop small. Let’s make this holiday season count for small business.

Holiday shopping may have started early this year, but as the holidays move into full-swing, I urge you to make small business part of your holiday shopping strategy. The new ‘Shop Small Map’ at https://www.sba.gov – Small Business Saturday (sba.gov) – makes it easier than ever to find participating small businesses in your area. And, this year, the choice is yours:

  • In-person shopping takes advantage of local in-person shopping and dining experiences – all while avoiding potential long distance shipping issues; and

  • Curbside pick-up, local delivery, online shopping with hometown retailers makes "shopping small" a breeze.

And, of course, supporting small businesses doesn’t have to cost a dime: remind neighbors to shop and dine small, invite friends and family to experience your favorite small businesses for themselves, and share your “shop small” stories and where you’re shopping on social media using #ShopSmall.

Whatever method you choose, supporting our Main Street mom-and-pops just makes sense. We know that small businesses have accounted for 65.1% of net new job creation since 2000. And we know that, on average, 67 cents out of every dollar spent at a U.S. small business goes back into the local economy.

When our small business community succeeds, we all succeed.

John Fleming is Delaware District Director of the Small Busniess Administration.

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Delaware Small Business Saturday: Support our state's economy