Why Shop Small This Holiday Season?

Small businesses are the backbone of the American economy as well as closer to home in the Massachusetts economy. In fact, statistics tell us that there are 700,646 small businesses in the Bay State. They account for 99.5% of all businesses in Massachusetts.

Add to this the fact that there are 1.5 million people employed by small businesses, representing 45.5% of all employees in the state. To say those small businesses are critical to our economy would be a massive understatement. Therefore, we are encouraging residents of our region to remember to shop small this holiday season and support our small business sector as it tries to recover from the last few years of the pandemic. 

Stimulate the Local Economy

Small Business Saturday is rapidly approaching and will be held on the Saturday after Thanksgiving when it is traditionally celebrated as the kick-off to the holiday shopping season. This year (2022) it falls on Saturday, November 26th. 

By making a commitment to shop local or support small businesses, you cycle money back into your community. According to Forbes Magazine online, “The tax revenue made through sale taxes from local businesses support the local government. This is then used to reinvest in the community.”

Create Jobs Locally

Local small businesses open up employment opportunities to people who live in your region and may not be able to travel for work or have limited resources to seek work outside their immediate neighborhood. 

According to the Small Business Administration: “The Small Business Profiles show that small businesses added 1.8 million net new jobs in the United States during the latest year studied. The United States has 30.7 million small businesses, and they employ 47.3% of the private workforce.”

Better Customer Service 

It’s no secret that small businesses go out of their way to make their customers happy and the best way to do that is to offer something that larger box stores can’t do – exceptional and personalized customer service.  

According to GOBankingRate, “54% of Americans say they shop at a small business due to the customer service.”

Aligning Business Values 

Yet another reason why many Americans are shopping small this time of year is in recognition that small businesses align with their business values. For instance, you may want to support businesses that offset their carbon emissions by using solar power or alternative energy sources or a small business that supports local athletic events through sponsorships and volunteer hours.

Whatever your reasoning for patronizing small businesses this holiday season be sure to take part in Small Business Saturday on November 26th this year.