GITNUX MARKETDATA REPORT 2024

Small Business Saturday Statistics: Market Report & Data

Highlights: Small Business Saturday Statistics

  • In 2019, American consumers spent a record $19.6 billion at independent retailers and restaurants, up from $17.8 billion in 2018.
  • Over 110 million people participated in Small Business Saturday 2016.
  • On average, 67 cents of every dollar spent at a small business stays in the local community.
  • Small Business Saturday spending has reached a reported estimate of $103 billion since the day began in 2010.
  • 96% of consumers who reported shopping on SBS said the day makes them want to Shop Small all year long.
  • In 2018, consumers reported spending a combined estimated $17.8 billion on Small Business Saturday.
  • 59% of small business owners said Small Business Saturday contributes significantly to their holiday sales.
  • 64% of consumers who plan to shop on Small Business Saturday are aiming to shop online.
  • In 2020, 47% of independent retailers relied on Small Business Saturday to bring in new customers.
  • 70% of U.S. adults are aware of Small Business Saturday.
  • 92% of companies planning promotions on Small Business Saturday in 2018 said the day helps their business stand out during the busy holiday shopping season.
  • 76% of consumers say they will specifically shop small because of the impacts of COVID-19 on small businesses.
  • More than 50% of consumers who reported shopping on Small Business Saturday did so with friends or family.
  • 41% of small business owners associated Small Business Saturday with their busiest shopping period of the year.
  • In 2017, 7,200 Neighborhood Champions across all 50 states engaged their communities with events and activities on Small Business Saturday.
  • In 2019, 99% of Small Business Saturday shoppers supported their local communities with a purchase.
  • Among consumers who went out to shop in person at small businesses on Small Business Saturday in 2018, 42% reported visiting small businesses with which they were not previously familiar.
  • More than 70% shoppers are aware of Small Business Saturday and, of those, 80% plan to shop at independently owned retailers or restaurants on the day.

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Delve into the realm of numbers and percentages as we take a revealing look at the statistics behind Small Business Saturday. This blog post explores the economic impact of this annual event, demonstrating how it propels local entrepreneurship and cultivates community solidarity. You’ll be captivated by the revealing insights that these statistics provide about consumer behavior, local spending, and small business performance across the country. Be ready to grasp the significance of this event in supporting the backbone of our economy – the small businesses.

The Latest Small Business Saturday Statistics Unveiled

In 2019, American consumers spent a record $19.6 billion at independent retailers and restaurants, up from $17.8 billion in 2018.

Highlighting a robust upward trend, the record $19.6 billion that American consumers spent at independent retailers and restaurants in 2019, a significant leap from $17.8 billion in the previous year, provides a fascinating insight into the richness of Small Business Saturday. It emphasizes the growing consumer commitment to supporting local businesses and the vibrant economic contribution of these ventures. Additionally, this burgeoning momentum underscores how Small Business Saturday is effectively breaking retail tradition, reshaping shopping behaviors, and establishing itself as a powerful driving force in the annual retail landscape.

Over 110 million people participated in Small Business Saturday 2016.

The breathtaking figure of over 110 million participants in Small Business Saturday 2016 is representative of the event’s growing attraction and relevance. It serves as a beacon, illuminating the increasing public commitment to support local businesses and the integral role such businesses play in stimulating local economies. Within the realm of Small Business Saturday statistics, this outstanding participation reflects not just a societal trend, but a substantial, budding force in the economy, sending a resonating message that resonates through the heart of the blog post. Highlighting this statistic provides a persuasive, numerical validation of the importance and recognition of small businesses across the country.

On average, 67 cents of every dollar spent at a small business stays in the local community.

The satin ribbon of small business vitality ties closely to economic prosperity at a local level, as illuminated by the statistic stating 67 cents of every dollar spent at a small business remains within the community. Showcased within this Small Business Saturday Statistics blog post, it underscores an impactful reality: when customers champion local businesses, they’re simultaneously investing in their own neighborhoods. This pattern of localized spending fortifies community development and assures a dynamic economy, bolstering a beautiful symbiosis between consumer choice and community growth.

Small Business Saturday spending has reached a reported estimate of $103 billion since the day began in 2010.

The pulse-pounding power of the ‘Small Business Saturday spending’ statistic, hitting a colossal estimate of $103 billion since its inception in 2010, serves as a potent testament to the burgeoning growth and robust influence of small businesses on the economy. Within the narrative of Small Business Saturday statistics, this number mirrors consumers’ deep-rooted commitment to supporting local enterprises, highlighting their pivotal role in fuelling economic growth, innovation, and community development. Delving into this figure’s colossal echelons paves the way for understanding the magnitude of small businesses’ impact, offering rich, quantifiable insights into how this annual observance has transformed into a vibrant commercial phenomenon. It’s a fascinating beacon to explore, dissect and understand in the dynamic world of small business economics. It underscores the importance, significance, and potential held by this sector, making it a crux of conversation in every discourse about Small Business Saturday statistics.

96% of consumers who reported shopping on SBS said the day makes them want to Shop Small all year long.

Capitalizing on the captivating statistic that 96% of Small Business Saturday participants express a desire to support smaller enterprises throughout the year offers an illuminating insight into consumer behavior for our blog readers. This compelling data point underscores the profound impact that this single-day event can potentially have on the commercial landscape, fostering a year-long trend of patronage and loyalty to smaller local businesses. It amplifies the idea of Small Business Saturday not being a solitary event, but a catalyst stimulating sustained consumer commitment to the ‘shop small’ ethos, underlining its significance within wider discussions around Small Business Saturday statistics.

In 2018, consumers reported spending a combined estimated $17.8 billion on Small Business Saturday.

Unveiling the impressive power of the ‘shop small’ movement, figures from 2018 demonstrate a hearty infusion of $17.8 billion into the economies of small businesses on Small Business Saturday. This statistic, not merely a number, encapsulates the profound consumer confidence in small-scale enterprises, the willingness to support local communities, and the potential for economic growth. It underscores the vitality of Small Business Saturday, making it a pivotal point of discussion in our exploration of the event’s impact. Furthermore, it sets a benchmark against which future trends can be measured, allowing us to trace the evolution of consumer behavior and small business growth over time.

59% of small business owners said Small Business Saturday contributes significantly to their holiday sales.

Peering through the lens of Small Business Saturday, the 59% affirmation from small business owners regarding its significant contribution to their holiday sales underscores a pivotal opportunity in the commercial calendar. Illuminating both the impact and importance of this occasion, this statistic offers a quantifiable snapshot of the annual sales boost that many small businesses experience. It highlights Small Business Saturday not just as a niche holiday, but as a critical economic engine, affirming this day’s influential role in shaping the holiday shopping landscape and in driving profitability for small businesses.

64% of consumers who plan to shop on Small Business Saturday are aiming to shop online.

Peeling back the layers of this statistic paints an intriguing snapshot of the increasingly digital footprint of Small Business Saturday. Unraveling to us a truth that 64% of consumers intend to navigate the digital aisles, this insight serves as a challenge and an opportunity for small businesses. With online shopping rapidly growing, businesses without an online presence risk missing out on a significant portion of potential sales. Conversely, those adept at leveraging the digital landscape are positioned to capitalize on this trend. Therefore, this statistic can be perceived as a straightforward call to action recommending small businesses to bolster their online engagement strategies, thus ensuring they are not lost in the digital shift taking place.

In 2020, 47% of independent retailers relied on Small Business Saturday to bring in new customers.

Unveiling the influence of Small Business Saturday, the revelation that 47% of independent retailers relied on this particular day in 2020 for drawing in new customers unveils a significant trend in consumer behaviour and business tactics. It paints the day not just as a momentary shopping spree, but rather a vibrant platform for local businesses to extend their reach, acquire new clientele and strengthen their market presence. The statistic underlines this day’s potential as a vital tool in the arsenal of small businesses, a potent strategy to keep themselves buoyant in an ultra-competitive retail landscape. This underscores the role of Small Business Saturday, offering strategic insights for both retailers and policy-makers seeking to stimulate local economies.

70% of U.S. adults are aware of Small Business Saturday.

The resonance of Small Business Saturday amongst U.S. adults, captured in the striking figure of 70%, offers a vibrant testament to the initiative’s growing recognition and impact. This ubiquitous awareness provides an essential backdrop for our analysis, underscoring the event’s significance within the national consciousness. As we delve deeper into the wealth of statistics surrounding Small Business Saturday, this high awareness level serves as a sturdy foundation, fuelling consumer participation, support for local commerce, and ultimately, the sustained success of this extraordinary movement.

92% of companies planning promotions on Small Business Saturday in 2018 said the day helps their business stand out during the busy holiday shopping season.

Painting a vibrant picture of Small Business Saturday’s growing significance, the statistic reveals that a resounding 92% of companies orchestrating promotions on the day in 2018 perceived it as a valuable tool to rise above the noise in the bustling holiday shopping season. This potent data nugget attests to not only Small Business Saturday’s evolving importance as a date in the entrepreneurial calendar but also its effectiveness as a promotional lever, helping businesses effectively differentiate themselves amidst the fervor of festive commerce. Therefore, it underscores the day’s pivotal role in providing businesses a unique platform to showcase their uniqueness and steer away from the shadows of larger counterparts.

76% of consumers say they will specifically shop small because of the impacts of COVID-19 on small businesses.

In the realm of Small Business Saturday Statistics, the figure ‘76% of consumers plan to shop small due to the impacts of COVID-19 on small enterprises’ casts a delightful light on the anticipatory behavior of consumers towards supporting locally owned ventures. It reflects an empathetic shift in customer attitude, driven by the understandings of the economic ravages triggered by the pandemic. This narrative portrays a powerful message: consumers are not just profit-driven entities but socially conscious constituents who are willing to back the underdogs, hence, painting an optimistic outlook for small businesses. This, in turn, arguably redefines the notions of market competition, accentuating the value of compassion, community, and shared recovery.

More than 50% of consumers who reported shopping on Small Business Saturday did so with friends or family.

Delving into the dynamic flavors of Small Business Saturday, it is intriguing to uncover that over half of the participating consumers preferred to partake in retail therapy alongside friends or family. This pattern imparts not only a commercial, but also a social dimension to the event, elevating it from a mere transactional rendezvous to a community-oriented tradition. This rich social aspect entices entrepreneurs and marketers to design customer experiences that appeal not only to individual consumers, but also to groups, by integrating multi-user benefits or discounts, thus amplifying the intimate, local flavor of Small Business Saturday, fostering a cooperative atmosphere, bolstering local community ties, and ultimately, fueling the economic engine of small businesses.

41% of small business owners associated Small Business Saturday with their busiest shopping period of the year.

In discussing the impact of Small Business Saturday on the small commerce landscape, the highlighted stat unearths a compelling facet of commercial activity. It illuminates the fact that 41% of small business owners see a stark uptick in customer traffic during Small Business Saturday, outpacing other traditionally busy periods. This percentual illustration provides numerical weight to the significance of this day, and its role in bolstering the sales and visibility of small businesses. Thus, in a blog post dedicated to Small Business Saturday Statistics, this nugget of information underscores the potency and necessity of consumers’ patronage of local stores on this day – effectively acting as an economic lifeline for small-sized ventures.

In 2017, 7,200 Neighborhood Champions across all 50 states engaged their communities with events and activities on Small Business Saturday.

Highlighting the engagement of 7,200 Neighborhood Champions across all 50 states for Small Business Saturday events and activities in 2017 paints a compelling picture of the extensive network of support and participation for local businesses. It underscores the nationwide commitment in boosting local economies, fostering community involvement, and endorsing neighborhood camaraderie. The significance of this statistic in the discussion of Small Business Saturday statistics therefore provides a testament to the unity and strength of grassroots activism in championing local enterprises.

In 2019, 99% of Small Business Saturday shoppers supported their local communities with a purchase.

As we delve into Small Business Saturday statistics, a standout figure leaps to forefront, commanding attention. In 2019, a staggering 99% of Small Business Saturday shoppers bolstered their local economies with a purchase. This illuminates the powerful force of community spirit molded around this day, underscoring the near-unanimous support for local enterprises. It’s a living testimony to the influence of shopping locally, with almost universal participation fortifying local economies and incubating growth. In essence, this statistic reflects not just purchases, but a robust community ethos pulsating vibrantly with mutual support and economic interdependence.

Among consumers who went out to shop in person at small businesses on Small Business Saturday in 2018, 42% reported visiting small businesses with which they were not previously familiar.

Highlighting an intriguing shift in consumer behavior, the statistic that notes 42% of shoppers on Small Business Saturday in 2018 visited unfamiliar small businesses serves as a testament to the power of this annual event. Essentially, Small Business Saturday is not only driving patronage, it’s cultivating exploration and discovery of new potential favorites among consumers. This is significant when delving into the potency of Small Business Saturday, as it illustrates its capability to boost visibility and drive traffic for different small businesses, potentially laying down the groundwork for a more diversified customer base and future repeat business.

More than 70% shoppers are aware of Small Business Saturday and, of those, 80% plan to shop at independently owned retailers or restaurants on the day.

Highlighting the statistic that over 70% shoppers are aware of Small Business Saturday with 80% of them intending to patronize independent retailers or restaurants spotlights noteworthy consumer awareness and purchase intent. These figures, embedded in the narrative of Small Business Saturday, elucidate the growth of consumer consciousness towards supporting local businesses. This high level of awareness coupled with intent to purchase is indicative of a culture geared towards fostering small business growth. Therefore, it makes Small Business Saturday a potential boon for smaller enterprises, vital for creating an inclusive and sustainable economy, making these statistics a meaningful part of any discussion surrounding Small Business Saturday.

Conclusion

Small Business Saturday offers a significant boost to local economies nationwide, cementing its role as an invaluable tradition in the annual retail calendar. The statistics delineate the importance of this event, with consumer support for independent businesses hitting new heights, both in increased foot traffic and in dollars spent. As consumers become more conscious about supporting local businesses, Small Business Saturday provides a significant opportunity for small enterprises to thrive and positively contribute to their local communities.

References

0. – https://www.www.americanexpress.com

1. – https://www.www.nfib.com

2. – https://www.www.businessinsider.com

3. – https://www.www.entrepreneur.com

4. – https://www.www.history.com

5. – https://www.azbigmedia.com

6. – https://www.smallbiztrends.com

7. – https://www.fortune.com

8. – https://www.www.bigcommerce.com

9. – https://www.www.foxbusiness.com

FAQs

What is Small Business Saturday?

Small Business Saturday is an American shopping holiday held on the Saturday after US Thanksgiving during one of the busiest shopping periods of the year. This day is dedicated to supporting small businesses across the country.

When was Small Business Saturday first celebrated?

Small Business Saturday was first observed in the United States on November 27, 2010. It was introduced by American Express via a nationwide radio and television advertising campaign.

What is the purpose of Small Business Saturday?

The purpose of Small Business Saturday is to encourage shoppers to consider smaller, local businesses when doing their holiday shopping in order to boost their local economies.

How can a small business participate in Small Business Saturday?

Small businesses can participate in Small Business Saturday by registering on the official website, taking advantage of free promotional tools, and encouraging local shopping activities on the day.

What kind of impact does Small Business Saturday have on the economy?

Small Business Saturday can significantly boost the local economy as it encourages consumers to shop on a local level, therefore supporting their local communities. In 2019, American shoppers spent a record high of an estimated $19.6 billion at independent retailers and restaurants on Small Business Saturday.

How we write our statistic reports:

We have not conducted any studies ourselves. Our article provides a summary of all the statistics and studies available at the time of writing. We are solely presenting a summary, not expressing our own opinion. We have collected all statistics within our internal database. In some cases, we use Artificial Intelligence for formulating the statistics. The articles are updated regularly.

See our Editorial Process.

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