Small Business Saturday urges shoppers to support local economy
While holiday shoppers anticipate the upcoming department sales for Black Friday, consumers are reminded to keep small businesses in Jeff Davis Parish in mind while looking for the perfect Christmas gift this year.
Small Business Saturday is a day to celebrate and support small businesses and all they do for communities to promote the local economy. The United States shopping holiday is held on the first Saturday after Thanksgiving during what is possibly the busiest shopping season of the year. As a counterpart to Black Friday and Cyber Monday, which promotes large retail and e-commerce stores, Small Business Saturday encourages holiday shoppers to patronize small, local, brick-and-mortar businesses.
The popularity of Small Business Saturday has increased greatly since its inception on Nov. 27, 2010.
Jeff Davis Parish Chamber of Commerce Director Linda Leblanc said Small Business Saturday will be recognized Saturday, Nov. 24, and encourages shoppers to support their local economy, by supporting local small businesses.
" It’s about providing widespread support for local economies and promoting diverse, thriving communities.”
– Chamber of Commerce Director Linda Leblanc
“Small Business Saturday is part of the larger Shop Small initiative,” said Leblanc. “The goal is to create love and support for local businesses and to promote strong, vibrant and diverse communities for the local economy. It potentially employs your friends, family and neighbors, while also helping economies stay strong and vibrant.”
In a time when consumers increasingly shop online year-round, not just during the holidays, Small Business Saturday is critical to the survival of local businesses.
“Capitalizing on that peak holiday rush is one key to keeping small businesses successful throughout the slow seasons,” explained Leblanc. “Unique gifts, genuinely friendly customer service and direct support for the local economy are squarely within the purview of small businesses. Small businesses play an important role in helping the local economy thrive.”
Leblanc said the initiative is more than just making purchases at small businesses.
“It’s about providing widespread support for local economies and promoting diverse, thriving communities,” she said. “This nationwide movement is fueled by shoppers, business owners and organizers who come together and celebrate their communities because they know how much they matter.”
Leblanc encourages the community to join the Jeff Davis Chamber of Commerce and other organizations across the country in supporting local small businesses by shopping at a small business.
“On the big day, invite your friends to shop small and show love for their favorite places,” she said. “Because when small business succeed, we all do.”