Thursday is Thanksgiving, the Black Friday and Cyber Monday-- but what about supporting local businesses?
Thanksgiving Day is coming up, and with that comes Black Friday. Whether you are a fierce competitor that stays in lines the night before to get the best deals possible when stores open incredibly early or you avoid leaving the house at all so as not to deal with so many people fighting over low prices, Black Friday is almost as important a tradition as Turkey Day. However, the day after is now becoming a way to help out local businesses. KDLG’s Thea Card reports.
In 2010, American Express founded Small Business Saturday and a year later it became an official day observed by the US government.
“I’m Maria Contereras-Sweet, the head of the US Small business Administration.”
She says in a Youtube video the SBA is proud to endorse Small Business Saturday this November 29th.
“More than 70 percent of Americans are now aware that two days after Thanksgiving Day is a day devoted to shopping small. Last year more than half consumers who knew about Small Business Saturday acted on it.”
President of the Dillingham Chamber of Commerce Chris Napoli is excited for this coming Saturday.
“And I think that everyone in Dillingham realizes the benefit of having businesses available to shop. I sure hope that everyone takes the time to go out and support small businesses. Dillingham happens to be full of small businesses.”
In rural Alaska especially, there are some items that can only be purchased online. Small Business Saturday was created as a reaction to increased sales on Black Friday and the advent of Cyber Monday. With these major sales and so much purchasing happening online, small businesses began to feel the pressure.
Napoli says it’s important to remember to support the local businesses because they are an important source of economic growth in a community.
“The small businesses contribute to the general welfare of the community. In this town, both through donations, civic organizations and the different various nonprofits that we have in town. But they also contribute to the property tax and the sales tax—and those are important areas that help the community to grow and to prosper.”
Napoli says some of the businesses open this Saturday in Dillingham will also be representing at the Christmas Bazaar on the 6th.
“It’s a great demonstration for what we have for talent in the region. It’s a popular place to go so make sure you’re going early because if you wait till the end people are always wiped out with their merchandise.”
This Saturday is also the first time Small Business Saturday Night will be in play—the SBA is encouraging people to go out to eat at their favorite local restaurant to support the food industry on Saturday night.