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A campaign started by American Express more than a decade ago is now a shared tradition across the country. Local businesses are gearing up for Small Business Saturday, an event that encourages in-store shopping during the busiest time of the year.
Last year, small businesses generated more than $23 billion in revenue on Saturdays between Thanksgiving and Cyber Monday Amex Small Business Saturday Consumer Insights Survey 2021. An 18% increase compared to 2020. .
This year, 42% of consumers plan to participate in Survey conducted by LendingTree. The #1 Online Lending Marketplace in Utah. . 1 in its analysis of where small businesses stand out most.Wyoming, Montana, Nevada and Colorado Top 15. About 60 percent of businesses in these states have fewer than five employees.
Aikta Marcoulier works for the US Small Business Administration in the Rocky Mountain region. Small business Saturdays are more important than ever because of the pandemic, she said.
“We’ve seen disaster in Colorado before, but now we’re dealing with a protracted disaster,” she said. “It’s critical for us and for Colorado businesses to take advantage of this time of year.”
She said the event wasn’t just about finding items that weren’t available in big box stores, but about keeping small businesses alive.
“78% of small businesses … the revenue they get this shopping season will determine whether they can function normally next year,” she said.
a survey by 2018 National Federation of Independent Business Discovered that for every dollar spent by local businesses, 67 cents go to the community, boosting the economy.
Marcoulier said customers can also support small businesses by shopping in the online store, buying gift cards and spreading the word on social media. This is especially useful for small businesses that are not located in metropolitan areas like Denver or Salt Lake City.
“Much of our region is rural and it’s really important to remember that we need to patronize those rural businesses too,” she said. for online business. Therefore, e-commerce and online shopping are part of today’s small business. “
The U.S. Small Business Administration offers free resources and A list of resource partners on their website If the business needs help getting the word out.
This story was produced by Mountain West News, which is Wyoming Public Media, Nevada Public Radio, Boise, Idaho State Public Radio, KUNR, Nevada, O’Connor Center West, Rockies, Montana, Colorado KUNC in New Mexico, and KUNM in New Mexico, are supported by affiliated stations in the area. The Western Mountain News Bureau is partially funded by the Public Broadcasting Corporation.