Holiday shoppers alienated with the traditional bedlam of Black Friday should support Small Business Saturday by shopping locally on November 27—whether done in person or online.

You can find an amazing mix of unique gifts and exceptional services to purchase for family and friends, while contributing to the well-being of your community’s economy.

Since its 2010 inception by American Express, Small Business Saturday has generated an estimated $133 billion in consumer spending.

In 2020—the program’s 11th Anniversary year—an estimated 110 million consumers shopped and/or dined on Small Business Saturday, generating a record $19.8 billion in spending, an increase of $200 million from 2019, according to the Small Business Saturday Consumer Insights Survey.

Survey responses for 2020 indicated that 97 percent of consumers who shopped or dined on Small Business Saturday agree that small businesses are essential to their community.  Due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic, a record 56 percent of consumers reported shopping online with small businesses on that day.  Some 43 percent of consumers shopped at small businesses offering specials or promotions.

Today, small businesses account for some 31.7 million U.S. businesses (one million minority-owned and 1.1 million women owned), which employ 47.1 percent of those working in the private sector and create two out of every three new jobs.

For many communities, sales taxes account for a municipality’s largest source of budget revenue, often offsetting any need for a property tax increase.  Home-rule municipalities like Elmhurst benefit even more from local taxes on food and beverage, retail, motor fuel, etc.

More importantly, 68% of every $1 spent at a local small business stays in the community, as compared to 44% from a big box retailer.

So there are numerous benefits to shopping “small” this holiday season—and all year ‘round.