Get Your Business Ready for Small Business Saturday

Small Business Saturday, celebrated the first Saturday after Thanksgiving, is becoming more of a big deal every year.  According to American Express, 112 million shoppers spent over $15.4 billion at small businesses on Small Business Saturday 2016.

If you haven’t already, you’ll want to check out the Shop Small website that serves as the official homepage for Small Business Saturday. On this page, you’ll find free customizable Small Business Saturday marketing materials for your business, including items for your physical location, your website and for social media. The site also gives you the opportunity to become a Neighborhood Champion and offers suggestions for helping to band together with other small businesses to promote Small Business Saturday in your community.

Considerations for Small Business Saturday

While the Shop Small website offers some great ideas on ways to promote your business during Small Business Saturday, it’s important to include your staff in the process as well. They not only can help you come up with some ideas, but you’ll need to work together to develop your plans for the entire holiday weekend since it is the Saturday after Thanksgiving. You’ll likely need to adjust store hours (and employee schedules) to meet customer expectations if you’re marketing yourself as a Small Business Saturday participant.

Adjusted hours aren’t the only customer expectation for Small Business Saturday. They’re also going to expect that you don’t run out of merchandise. Whatever it is you sell, make sure you have enough of it on hand. Nothing is more disappointing than having customers show up, excited to support your business, only to find you ran out of inventory. Small Business Saturday is the kick-off for the holiday sales season, so be sure to plan ahead for increased demand for your products, especially the items that have historically been in demand during the holidays.

Learn more about starting and growing your business at sba.gov.