Small Business Saturday is November 26th

First, there was Black Friday. Then, there was Cyber Monday. Now, there’s Small Business Saturday^®, a day to support the small businesses that help fuel the economy and invigorate communities. 

Steve's Flowers and Gifts pledges to support Small Business Saturday^®.

Small businesses help the economy, create jobs and preserve the uniqueness of local communities. That’s why Steve's Flowers supports Small Business Saturday. We’re encouraging our employees and customers to shop at their favorite local businesses on November 26, and help fuel small business growth. So watch the video, get involved and pledge your support at: facebook.com/ShopSmall

As a 2nd year participant in Small Business Saturday, we are enticing customers by offering 50% off everything in the store for that day only. An amazing chance to get great quality, unique items, and gifts for a great price. This is available at our Indianapolis and Greenwood locations. 

Why support Small Business Saturday?

SMALL BUSINESS IS THE HEARTBEAT OF THE U.S. ECONOMY:

Source: U.S. Department of Commerce, Census Bureau and Intl. Trade Admin (2007)

As of 2007, small firms:

·         Represented 99.7 percent of all employer firms

·         Employed just over half of all private-sector employees

·         Paid 44 percent of total U.S. private payroll

·         Generated 64 percent of net new jobs in the previous 15 years

·         Created more than 50 percent of nonfarm, private gross domestic product (GDP)

SMALL BUSINESS IN MARATHON TO KEEP UP WITH PUBLICALLY TRADED COMPANIES:

Source: The American Express OPEN State of Women-Owned Businesses Report (March 2011)

Small businesses have lost substantial share in the U.S. economy over the past 14 years. In 1997, publicly traded firms represented 2% of firms and contributed 43% of the jobs and 55% of business revenue. Now, large publicly traded firms, though still just 3% of U.S. businesses, employ 53% of workers and generate nearly two-thirds (64%) of business revenues. ­

SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS SPLIT ON OPTIMISM, BUT SEE A SALES SILVER LINING
ON THE HORIZON

Source: The American Express OPEN Small Business Monitor and Optimism Review (Spring 2011)
In the spring of 2011, 49 percent had a positive view, while 48 percent held a negative view, for a net optimism score of just +1. Additionally, more business owners said they thought sales over the next six months would be higher compared to a year ago (50% vs. 39% in 2010). 

BUY-LOCAL CAMPAIGNS BOOST SMALL BUSINESS SALES

Source: Institute for Local Self-Reliance (January 2011)

·         Independent retailers that are in communities with a “buy local” initiative reported revenue growth of 5.6% on average in 2010, compared to 2.1% for those elsewhere

·         Independent retailers that are in communities with a “buy local” initiative saw a 5.2% increase in holiday sales, while those elsewhere reported an average gain of 0.8%

·         More than half (55%) of business owners who live in cities with an active “buy local” initiative said the campaign created more existing-customer loyalty

LOYAL CUSTOMERS ARE VITAL FOR SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS

Source: The American Express OPEN Small Business Monitor (Fall 2010)

·         The recession hit small business owners harder than their larger counterparts. Consumer spending dropped more at small businesses relative to larger businesses. Small businesses lost market share and are still 4% below the share they held before the recession

·         54% of small business owners say what they need most to help grow their business is “more customers,” instead of tax cuts (23%), access to capital (14%) and the ability to hire more employees (6%)

·         To help boost demand, small companies are focused on two key strategies: deepening relationships and creating value for customers

CONSUMERS SHOP SMALL TO SAVE THEIR LOCAL ECONOMIES

Source: The American Express OPEN Small Business Saturday Consumer Pulse (July 2011)

·         93% of U.S. consumers believe it’s important to support the local small businesses that they value

in their community

·         87% believe that small businesses are a critical element of the overall U.S. economic health

·         89% agree that locally owned, independent businesses contribute positively through taxes and jobs

·         73% consciously shop at small businesses in their community because they do not want them to close

MORE SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS ARE BECOMING TECH SAVVY

Source: The American Express OPEN Small Business Monitor (October 2010)

Business owners are getting creative in their marketing. Three in ten indicate they use at least one social media platform; Facebook is by far the most popular platform, with 27% of relevant businesses on board. By comparison, only one in ten business owners were using online social networking to market their businesses a year ago. 

So, this Saturday, November 26th. Remember the small local business down the road that employs your neighbor, friend, or the person who sits next to you at church. Join the Small Business Movement. Shop Local.