If you ask a child about something they like, most of them will tell you two is better than one and three is even better than that. When it comes to shopping small, we have to concur. A whole season celebrating the efforts and offerings of small business is better than just one day.

Here’s why and how to create an entire shopping small/shopping local season either instead of or in addition to Small Business Saturday. We believe this is one of the best ways you can use your marketing efforts as 2021 winds down.

Why Shop Small?

Many small businesses were hit exceptionally hard because of their lack of e-commerce options. While big box stores gobbled up the lion’s share of online orders (Walmart’s online orders increased by 79% in the 3rd quarter of 2020 alone), many small businesses struggled to launch an online component, much less market that one was available. It was a hard learned lesson and one many simply weren’t prepared for.

When we talk about shopping small or shopping local, we always mention how the money stays in town. But let’s break that down a bit so that you can share these statistics in your Small Business Saturday or Season marketing.

According to Fundera, “small businesses generate $68 of local economic return for every $100 spent with them.” On the other hand, it’s estimated that for every $100 spent at a large business, only $43 stays in the community, according to the Civic Economics Study in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

A local business that is thriving and growing is also much more likely to:

• Hire more employees
• Support a local sports team or PTA
• Sponsor an event
• Give to a local nonprofit or charity. According to the Seattle Good Business Network, small businesses donate 250% more than larger businesses to non-profits and community causes.
• Give bonuses to employees
• Expand into a new product or service line
• Pay employees more or be able to afford offering benefits or better benefits or employee perks
• Move into a larger location, which may help a landlord who hasn’t been able to rent the space
• Pay additional tax dollars that help fund local needs like police, fire, and infrastructure

$10 is Enough For Small Business Saturday or Season

As we run shop local campaigns, we often pitch the idea that any amount helps. Customers may wonder if that is true. Can ten dollars spent at a local store really have that large of an impact on the community? What’s the difference buying something on Amazon or a big box store, rather than a local one?

But the impact is sizable.

It’s estimated that over $9.3 billion would be returned to our US economy if every family spent just $10 a month at a local business. That’s not even one one meal of spending a month! It’s really only a few cups of coffee or a glass of wine a month. What a tremendous impact we could have if everyone could commit to that.

And we’re not suggesting additional spending. We’re simply advising willing supporters to switch the $10 a month they’re currently spending elsewhere to $10 with local businesses.

$10 dollars!

That’s it and that small spend can have a huge impact.