Thanksgiving weekend is a time of family, food and of course, shopping. If you’re planning to exercise your shopping skills around T-day, why not dedicate your purchases to a greater good? This year American Express OPEN, the company’s small business component, is naming the Saturday after Thanksgiving Small Business Saturday.
On this day, instead of high-tailing to your nearest mega-mall, seek out the independently-owned, local merchants in your community to buy your holiday gifts. If you’re still not convinced about going local, check out our top 10 reasons why you should:
1. Got jobs? Small businesses are the leading creators of jobs in the country. According to sba.gov, 99.7 percent of employees are employed by small businesses.
2. Ooooo … where’d ya get that? If you hate stepping out on the town and seeing somebody with the exact same outfit as you, shop small. When you make local purchases, the odds of finding those unique one-of-a-kind finds are infinitely higher.
3. Would you like some help with that? It’s proven that mom-and-pop shops compete with bigger brands by offering customers outstanding service and a higher level of expertise in their field.
4. Where everybody knows your name … If you continue to shop locally, you’re likely to build a lasting relationship with the shopkeeper and employees. There is much less turnaround in a smaller store and owners love getting to know their regulars.
5. Love your community. The dollars you spend in your neighborhood are more likely to stay there. Thriving local businesses keep your town healthy, employed and unique.
6. Let your freak flag fly. Local stores often carry items that are uniquely specific to the area. By shopping in your backyard you’re saying, “I love where I live.”
7. It’s easy being green. By sourcing locally and using less transportation, neighborhood businesses are the more environmentally friendly options. Plus, they’re often situated on smaller streets and corridors, which reduce congestion and pollution.
8. Go entrepreneurs. Entrepreneurship drives innovation, growth and stability. Shopping at small businesses says you support the American dream.
9. The greater good. It’s been proven that nonprofit organizations have better relationships with community businesses. In turn, local businesses are more likely to donate to charity and social causes.
10. Love they neighbor. Small business owners are from your neighborhood and invested in its long-term prosperity and growth.
From rare finds to economic growth, there are plenty or reasons to go local the Saturday after Thanksgiving (and everyday for that matter). Do you shop locally? What are some of your favorite neighborhood stores? Why is it important to you and your family to keep your purchases in your community?
Become a fan of Small Business Saturday and let us know!
Image courtesy of puroticorico at flickr. American Express Members Project is a Tonic sponsor.