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5 tips to help Utah shops and restaurants on Small Business Saturday
by Adam Torkildson
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November 14, 2022
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As chain stores and online retailers begin their holiday sales earlier and earlier in the season, Black Friday will lose some of its luster, but Small Business Saturday is growing in popularity.

Small Business Saturday is on November 26 this year. According to an American Express and the National Federation of Independent Business survey, spending on Small Business Saturday at independent retailers and restaurants reached an estimated $23.3 billion last year, up 18% from $19.8 billion the previous year and a significant increase from the $19.6 billion spent in 2019. (NFIB).

Small Business Saturday was founded in 2010 at a time when many Main Street businesses were still struggling to recover from the Great Recession. Since then, it has grown to be one of the busiest shopping days of the year, with people flocking to support the small, independent businesses that keep their communities thriving.

"There has never been a more significant Small Business Saturday than this year's," said Casey Hill, NFIB's Utah state director. "To name a few challenges, Main Street businesses have faced inflation, an intractable inability to fill open positions, and supply-chain issues." Even in the best of times, small business profit margins are razor thin; with everything that is happening to them right now, it is critical that we all do our part and devote some of our holiday shopping to small businesses. "Healthy communities do not have empty storefronts."

Here are some ideas for how businesses and restaurants can capitalize on Small Business Saturday:

Maintain your social media presence. Post frequently on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest to promote any Small Business Saturday deals. Use the hashtags #ShopSmall and #SmallBizSat to help shoppers find you.

Display items that would make excellent gifts. Put items on a table with a sign saying they'd make a great gift for mom or grandparents. Restaurants can promote Small Business Saturday by offering specials and gift cards.

Provide doorbusters. Chain stores understand that offering exclusive deals at different times of the day is a great way to drive shoppers to their stores. There is no reason why a small business cannot do the same.

Collaborate with nearby businesses. Combine your resources to purchase advertising promoting the neighborhood as a shopping destination, or collaborate on in-store promotions with other merchants. For example, if someone buys a shirt in one store, inform them about a great deal on shoes in the next store.

Remember to inform your regular customers about Small Business Saturday. Put a sign in your store and flyers in bags reminding customers to return the Saturday after Thanksgiving for special deals.

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About the author
Adam Torkildson
Adam Torkildson
Adam is a long-time resident of American Fork, UT. He serves in several local service organizations and advises several startups that he's invested in or founded.
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