What is Small Business Saturday?
Small Business Saturday started out in America in 2010 and has been brought to the UK this year to coincide with the run up to Christmas and Britain’s busiest shopping day.
Last year, SBS generated $5.5 billion in extra revenues for small businesses in the US, where the event will be celebrated this year on November 30th.
Small Business Saturday UK will take place the weekend after on December 7th. It’s hoped that the event will not only improve small business revenues on the day itself, but also bring long-term benefits too as it was reported to have done in the US.
Why support small businesses?
In the UK, small businesses account for nearly two-thirds of private sector employment and almost half of private sector turnover. Between us, we make a significant contribution to the UK economy, and I think that’s something worth celebrating in its own right.
But I also think small businesses have something distinct to offer that sets them apart from larger companies. With a small trader, nine times out of ten you’ll find yourself face-to-face with the person who owns the business.
Speaking from my own experience I know how much it means to have your own business, and how much care and attention goes into making sure every customer is delighted with the service you provide.
That’s not to mention the distinct character that independent businesses bring to our cities and town centres. My home city of Norwich has always prided itself on being distinctive and having its own unique character, and we truly are spoilt for choice when it comes to supporting local businesses.
Besides our bounty of hidden retail gems scattered across the city, we also have the cluster of exciting shops in the Norwich Lanes, which encompasses the beautiful Upper St. Giles Street, and the Bohemian St. Benedicts Street.
We also have the enviable parade of independent shops within the Victorian Royal Arcade, and of course, who could forget the iconic Norwich Market? This is by no means an exhaustive list, take a look at VisitNorwich to find out more.
How you can help
It doesn’t take much to help out your local small business. You might choose to do the bulk of your shopping in a chain store, but it’s still easy to take a break in an independent coffee shop or grab a slice of pizza from a street vendor along the way. Supporting local businesses isn’t about being self-righteous, it’s about making a difference in any small way you can.
We’re all consumers, but some of us are fortunate enough to also be owners of independent businesses ourselves. This gives us an extra hand to play on Small Business Saturday. We can lend our support to other local traders and also decide what we’d like to offer to the public ourselves.
You might already have some ideas, but if not why not use your own business as a way of supporting other small businesses? Find out why EggCup joined BuyLocal Norfolk for an example of how we’re supporting small businesses all year round.
What is EggCup planning to do?
One of the things I love most about running my own business is the number of fascinating people I get to meet. It complements the other side of my job, which can be very isolating at times (but no less enjoyable!).
Whenever I meet new people and tell them what I do, they often have a question to ask about building websites, or they tell me about a problem (or several) that they’re having with their current site. Usually I’m able to offer some suggestions to get them back on track.
That’s why on Small Business Saturday, EggCup Web Design will be extending the working week. I’ll be manning our on-site live chat between 11am and 5pm so you can pop along to our website and ask me for help and advice relating to your website or web strategy in general.
My business isn’t normally open on a Saturday so I don’t wish to distract anyone from going out on December 7th and supporting their local shops instead.
But when you get back from shopping on December 7th, why not stick the kettle on and have a chat with me about your website whilst you put your feet up?
All you need to do is click on the ‘+’ icon in the black box at the top-right of the screen, let me know your name and we’ll get started. If you can’t make it on the day, why not drop me an email instead?
You might not even have a business of your own, but that doesn’t matter. If nothing else, we can just have a good old natter about what you think can be done to encourage people to use local businesses. It’s a passion of mine, and I hope you can see the value supporting your local traders too.
Stay up to date
Don’t forget to like the Small Business Saturday UK Facebook page, and follow them on Twitter. And whilst you’re logged into your social media accounts, why not take a look at the EggCup Web Design Facebook page, and give us a cheeky follow on Twitter as well to keep up to date with the latest developments in the world of small business and web design.
