Started in 2010, Small Business Saturday (#SmallBizSat) encourages holiday shoppers to patronize local, independently-owned U.S. businesses on the Saturday of Thanksgiving weekend, after Black Friday (#BlackFriday) and before CyberMonday (#CyberMonday). In 2010, social media was a major driving force of the grassroots effort: nearly 33,000 Tweets were sent about the first Small Business Saturday.
Today, #SmallBizSat is a nationally recognized shopping day and Shop Small (#shopsmall) has become a widespread movement in support of the local businesses that create jobs, boost the economy and preserve neighborhoods around the country.
RT: 93% of consumers believe it’s important to support the local small biz in their community. #ShopSmall on 11/24! ow.ly/ftVu4
— Shop Small (@ShopSmall) November 22, 2012
According to the Small Business Saturday Consumer Insights Survey by the National Federation of Independent Business (@NFIB) and American Express (@AmericanExpress), U.S. consumers spent $5.5 billion “shopping small” this past Saturday. More than 213,000 Tweets were sent this November related to Small Business Saturday, according to @AmericanExpress.
#SmallBizSat Spending Exceeded Expectations According to Research from @nfib & @americanexpress bit.ly/U0Zpao #Big4SmallBiz
— NFIB (@NFIB) November 27, 2012
Across the country, small businesses turned to Twitter to promote offers and content they created specifically for the day, including Hampton Coffee (@HamptonCoffee) in Water Mill and West Hampton, New York; Pet Relocation (@PetRelocation) in Austin, Texas; and KOi Fusion (@KOiFusionPDX) in Portland, Oregon.
It’s #SmallBizSat! Shop at Hampton Coffee’s Holiday Cafes and AmEx will give registered cardholders $25 back for shopping here. #shoplocal
— Hampton Coffee (@HamptonCoffee) November 24, 2012
Five Ways A Small Business Can Accomplish Big Things Online #SmallBizSat bit.ly/XMcv2x
— PetRelocation (@PetRelocation) November 16, 2012
Come out and support KOi Fusion and other small businesses today. Get a free 12oz drink with your KOi purchase when you mention #SmallBizSat
— KOi Fusion (@KOifusionpdx) November 24, 2012