Small Business Marketing News
Small Businesses Race To Prepare For Small Business Saturday
Written by Tim Morral
Published: 11/8/2011
With Thanksgiving just around the corner, several organizations are offering resources designed to help small business owners take advantage of increased selling opportunities this holiday season.
For the second year in a row, the Saturday between Black Friday and Cyber Monday (November 26th) has been designated Small Business Saturday, a day for holiday shoppers to boost the local economy, increase hiring and preserve endangered neighborhoods by patronizing small, independent retailers.
Created in 2010 by American Express, Small Business Saturday is designed to spur demand for small business products and services.
"Last year, independent merchants who accept American Express saw an average boost in sales of 28% on Small Business Saturday," said Mary Ann Fitzmaurice Reilly, senior vice president at American Express OPEN. "Shoppers sent a clear message that shopping local is an important part of the holiday season and small businesses are rewarding that loyalty with what their customers care about most-superior service, unique selection and some great deals."
To prepare for this year's Small Business Saturday, companies including American Express, FedEx and Experian are offering a variety of free resources to the small business community.
Experian's Small Business Services division is pulling out all the stops to equip small business owners with a free ebook with tips for the event, a blog series and other tools to improve small business performance on what is becoming a critical shopping day for smaller retailers.
"Tough economic times have put pressure on small-business owners to compete with large retailers," said Denise Hopkins, vice president of Experian's Small Business Services. "Experian is making it easier for small-business owners to be more competitive during the holiday season and capture the buying momentum that Small Business Saturday sparks."
Similarly, American Express is offering $25 statement credit to a limited number of Cardmembers who pre-register their eligible American Express Card on www.facebook.com/SmallBusinessSaturday, and then spend at least $25 at a small business on Small Business Saturday with their registered Card.
FedEx also distributed 40,000 $25 Shop-Small-branded gift cards through www.facebook.com/Fedex, as a way to increase small business traffic and drive more business to small retailers on Small Business Saturday.
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