The National Retail Federation (NRF) predicted holiday sales could top $1 trillion this year. This Saturday is when small CSRA businesses step into the spotlight, hoping to grab some of those sales.
Small Business Saturday, also known as Shop Small Saturday, was the brainchild of American Express in 2010. Business leaders everywhere promote the day, urging shoppers to support local small businesses.
Angie Cox, President and CEO of the Metro Augusta Chamber of Commerce, told ABD 90% of chamber members have 50 employees or fewer.
“They literally are what make up Augusta and what make up our chamber member businesses, and they are our legacy builders,” she said. “Every single dollar that is spent on Small Business Saturday goes right back into the Augusta economy. You are directly supporting the entrepreneurs and the family businesses, and your neighbors and the people that you go to church with, and others.”
The Columbia County Chamber of Commerce kick-started attention for Shop Small Saturday with a series of radio ads earlier this month. The chamber estimates $0.68 spent in small businesses goes toward local wages, services, and suppliers. That money is then recirculated through the local economy.
“We have Black Friday, we have Cyber Monday, and it’s important to set aside a day for small businesses. The next 30 days are for some small businesses, make it or break it time, and the small businesses are the people that we know,” said David Jameson, interim President and CEO of the Columbia County Chamber. “They do all sorts of things, and it’s important for us to recognize that and support those folks and to hold back some of our spending to help small businesses grow and thrive.”
The Columbia County Chamber is doing double duty this year. In addition to promoting all small businesses in the county, it is partnering with the Harlem Merchants Association for Heart of Harlem to draw attention to small businesses in the quintessential small town.
There are also special events in Aiken County.
The Aiken Chamber of Commerce has revived a popular incentive to draw shoppers into the local businesses. The Red Ticket campaign began in 2021, and shoppers receive one red ticket for every $25.00 they spend.
“It was a year after COVID, and we just saw their habits changed a little bit. They were doing a lot more online shopping. They weren’t getting out and supporting our local businesses,” said Jim Tunison, President and CEO of the Chamber. “This was our way to combat that, to remind people of the great businesses that we have here, and to support them. Support the businesses that support their community.”
The tickets are entered into a weekly drawing for a cash prize from $500 to $1,000.
North Augusta Forward is using Shop Small Saturday to kick off a series of activities, starting off with Tinseltown Forest. The Jackson Square parking lot and Cavalier’s Coffee Courtyard will be a twinkling holiday forest. That is followed by the Cocoa and Cookie Crawl and tree lighting on Dec. 2nd and the 12 Days of Christmas through Dec. 12th.
There is also an inaugural event in North Augusta. The Winter Whirl will offer free ice skating beside the Savannah River. The floor of the Sharon Jones Amphitheater will be turned into an ice rink for the event. Skates will be available. It will be available Dec. 3rd through Jan. 2nd.
While patronizing small local businesses on Saturday helps the shopkeepers, it also provides the chance to find unique, one-of-a-kind gifts.
“You are supporting that person who is passionate about their craft, and that is where you’re going to find your unique items, and those treasured memories that people know were purchased just for them,” said Cox.
Additional information, including merchant lists, is available on each organization’s website:
https://www.augustametrochamber.com/shopsmall
https://www.columbiacountychamber.com/shopsmallsaturday/
https://www.facebook.com/harlemga
https://www.aikenchamber.net/buyaikenredticket
https://northaugustaforward.org/
