Shoppers are being urged to show support for small businesses this weekend as tomorrow’s Small Business Saturday (7 December) returns with a mission to deliver a vital boost for firms heading into a challenging winter.
Many small businesses, to include gift shops, will be celebrating the day by hosting events, offering promotions and collaborating with other local businesses.
“Public support is absolutely vital for boosting small businesses across the UK on Small Business Saturday and beyond,” says Michelle Ovens CBE, director of Small Business Saturday UK. “Many are facing extended economic challenges and need greater support and confidence to recover and keep going.”
Amid reports of falling small business confidence, the research revealed the festive season could deliver a lifeline, with over £20 billion estimated to be spent by UK households over the Golden Quarter – the peak season from October to post-Christmas sales.
People are expected to direct up to a fifth, (22%), of their Christmas spend towards independent firms, meaning that the small business economy could tap into approximately £4.4 billion.
Public support is already riding high as people recognise the value small businesses bring to local communities. Currently two thirds (66%) of people spend on goods or services with independent businesses multiple times a month. Plus, four in five people (86%) believe it is important to support small businesses,with 62% believing they boost their local area.
The findings, (which saw 2,000 people surveyed), also found that UK households will spend an estimated £757 on seasonal celebrations on average, with over a quarter (26%) expecting to spend more. Women are predominately found to control the festive purse-strings, with 60% in charge of their household budget.
As well as encouraging the public to shop small, organisers are also urging people to support their favourite independents in other ways, such as leaving positive reviews or spreading the word among friends and family.
Over the decade that the Small Business Saturday campaign has been running in the UK, it has engaged millions and seen billions of £pounds spent with small firms on Small Business Saturday.
Top: People are being encouraged to spend with small independent businesses on Small Business Saturday which takes place tomorrow (7 December).
