National Federation of Independent Business: More than ever, shoppers planning to visit a small business this weekend

Contact: Bill G. Smith at (608) 255-6083

Toni Angelini at (609) 989-8777

MADISON (November 24, 2015)–As small business owners across the nation gear up for Small Business Saturday this week, a record number of shoppers are making plans to support their favorite local businesses. According to the fourth-annual Small Business Saturday Consumer Insights Survey, released by the National Federation of Independent Businesses (NFIB.) and American Express, supporting local small businesses continues to be a priority for shoppers nationwide.

“Every year we see people jumping up from the Thanksgiving table and running into big box stores to fight over electronics before the oven has even cooled off. People are finally wising up to the absurd concept and realizing that using small businesses for holiday shopping is a much more civilized experience,” According to Bill G. Smith, NFIB Wisconsin state director.

Small Business Saturday was created by American Express in 2010 as a response to small business owners’ most pressing need: getting more customers. Held on the Saturday following Thanksgiving, Small Business Saturday helps rally communities to support local businesses. As Small Business Saturday enters its sixth year, 55 percent of U.S. consumers report they are aware of the day – the highest figure yet recorded – and even more encouraging, 83 percent say Small Business Saturday inspires them to Shop Small all year long.

“Small Business Saturday has become a major part of the holiday shopping tradition, as community members celebrate local small business owners by patronizing their places of businesses the Saturday after Thanksgiving,” continued Smith. “The day is dedicated to increasing awareness of the hard working small business owners that are just around the corner from our homes.”

Additional findings from the Small Business Saturday Consumer Insights Survey include:

-80% of consumers are willing to pay slightly more for an item if it is purchased from a small, independently-owned retailer as opposed to online or at a large retailer
-On average, consumers are planning to do 35% of their holiday shopping at small businesses
-45% of consumers who expect to shop on the day plan to spend more on Small Business Saturday this year than they spent last year
-Almost two-thirds (64%) of consumers who plan to shop on Small Business Saturday are motivated by the contributions that small businesses make to their community

“The results of this year’s survey are promising and our members are certainly gearing up for a very busy weekend this weekend. Shopping small, especially during the holiday season has become a true community wide event,” Concluded Smith.