There’s no better way to kick off the holiday season than by contributing to hard-working local businesses when you’ve made your list and are checking it twice.
Everyone knows about Black Friday and all its great deals. It’s the most anticipated sales event of the year second only to Boxing Day. But do you know about Small Business Saturday? Well, just in time for Giving Tuesday, you can give — by supporting — small local businesses!
Small Business Saturday is a celebration held on the day after Black Friday — November 30 — to champion shopping local at the start of the busy holiday shopping season. It’s run by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB), the country’s largest association of small and medium-sized businesses. They started #SmallBusinessEveryDay to encourage Canadians to support small businesses from coast to coast in their local communities, every day, in any way you can.
The #SmallBusinessEveryDay is a year-round initiative created by CFIB that encourages Canadians to support the independent businesses that make their communities unique by keeping their loonies local. Launched in 2020, the campaign has now entered its fourth year and is helping shed light on the important role small businesses play in supporting local economies.
Your favourite small businesses pour their hearts — and more — into what they do every day. This coming Small Business Saturday, join in supporting local businesses by showing them the love they deserve, and wrap yourself up in the warm feeling of supporting local!
Along with heartfelt service and unique products, you’ll get great deals, too. Look out for businesses offering Small Business Saturday sales and special offers.
Why shop local?
Small businesses make life better. They prepare our morning coffee, repair our cars, give our children their first jobs, sponsor our sports teams, support our fundraisers, and so much more; they’re always there for us when we need them. Now it’s our turn to be there for them.
There are many great reasons to choose local over big-box. Here are the top five fantastic reasons to feel great about shopping small:
1. Love for local Nine out of 10 of us really value having locally-owned businesses in our neighbourhood, according to CFIB. They’re the heartbeat of our community and play a big part in shaping its future. When you shop small, you’re showing your neighbours some love.
2. Money stays close to home When you spend at small businesses, 66 cents of every dollar you spend stays right in your community. It supports local jobs, your kids’ soccer team, community infrastructure, and charities and causes close to your heart.
3. Your choice matters 84% of us say we’d like to do more of our shopping at small businesses but only 1 out of 3 of us go out of our way to shop at an independent retailer over a big chain. It’s time to put our dollars where our hearts are — shifting just a small portion of our spending away from major retailers and online giants makes a big difference.
4. Discover hidden gems Small businesses offer something special, whether it’s unique products, specialized knowledge and advice, or that personal touch — like remembering your name and your favourite order. They love what they do, and they want to share it with you!
5. Champion your favourites More than half of us have already recommended a local small business to friends and family. If you take the time to leave reviews for your favourite businesses, spread the word about them on social media, and recommend them to others, you’re a true champion for local businesses — and that’s something to feel great about!
#SmallBusinessEveryDay
Don’t forget to post where you’re shopping on Small Business Saturday. Show your support by writing a review, share posts, and engage with content from your favourite local small businesses on social media. If you tag CFIB and use #SmallBusinessEveryDay in your post, they can share it too!
I’m sure you have your favourite local businesses to visit, whether it’s a boutique, independent car repair shop, butcher, salon, non-chain restaurant, gallery, bakery, tailor, consignment shop, crafter, pub or coffee shop, and yes, real estate office, to name just a few.
There are many ways to support local business. These are your neighbours, so don’t forget about them when you’re walking through a mall or big box store hunting for a great deal on the perfect gift. Small businesses want your business and often will go the extra mile for you. Looking for something special? Ask a local business owner if they can source it for you, before buying elsewhere! They probably have exactly what you’re looking for, so going the extra mile will be well worth it.
Your loonie goes further when it stays close to home
Small businesses, including locally owned franchises, make a BIG impact on local economies — sponsoring community initiatives, donating time and goods to local fundraisers, and bringing in specialty items for their customers. From funding local literacy programs to sponsoring community gardens, donating to food security initiatives and supporting extracurricular activities, when local businesses thrive, they channel their success back into their communities.
The money you spend locally is recirculated back into the community through things like wages for local workers, locally sourced goods and services, municipal taxes, and donations to local causes, so you can feel good about how you’re shopping.
I can’t think of any better way to kick off the holiday shopping season than to support local businesses! Visit www.smallbusinesseveryday.ca for more information, or check out www.tourismwinnipeg.com for excellent resources to everything local.