National Small Business Saturday
60
Something New
Something new is on the horizon. The first ever Small Business Saturday is slated for Saturday November 26, 2011.This is the day that it is encouraged to shop small businesses. We're encouraged to look around our own neighborhoods and patronize our local businesses. Usually Black Friday benefits the major businesses that offers deep discounts, however the small business can ill afford to offer such discounts.
What a shame we have to be reminded to help our fellow man in this way, but if that's what it takes so be it.
Over the years small businesses have had to close their doors due to lack of patronage. The "Big Guys" have been able to survive this recession, by lowering their prices, cutting their work force, and other cost cutting measure. The "Little Guy" don't have the luxury of using those means of survival. So it falls to us to help them.
Just imagine, it's after hours and you need milk for your morning cereal, or milk for your baby and the big Super Market is closed or a little ways from your home, where do you go? Why your local small market. Now just suppose because he didn't get enough business he's had to close his doors, what do you do now? Or here's another one, suppose you need gas, early in the morning before going to work and your neighborhood gas station is closed, because you went across town to the major service station, because his gas is cheaper.
Then there's the "Little Dress Shop" down the street that you never even think about until you're late for that all important dinner date, and you "have nothing to wear." Thank goodness she's there. But now suppose she's had to close her doors, because you always shop at your major department store, because they have deep discounts and she doesn't. Just think, they can offer those discounts because they can buy in larger quantities, than the "Little Dress Shop" can't, so she suffers, and by extension you do too, when you need her most.
Where To Shop
Some suggested small businesses to patronize on Small Business Saturday, or actually anytime.
- Local service, (gas) station
- Dress shop, Small All Purpose store
- Bakery
- Cafe, Restaurant
- Gardening shop, Hardware store,
- Resale shops, clothes, tires, appliances, etc
- Beauty salons, Barber shops
- Local Super Market, meat market, produce market
- Liquor Store, (they sell things other than alcohol)
- Movers, if you need them
That's my list, I'm sure I forgot some, but you can take it from here.
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Conclusion
So just remember the date, Saturday Nov, 26, 2011 This is the date that we can possible save our local neighborhood small business. I'm passionate about this because I was once a small business owner and because of the lack of patronage I had to close my doors, and as we know what follows the loss of a business, (financial ruin), which causes a trickle down effect.
Again, don't pass up an opportunity to give a helping hand to the needy, not the greedy. Shop National Small Business Saturday, November 26, 2011.
Important Links
- Second Annual Small Business Saturday looks to Improve Upon Last Year | Small Business Saturday | Am
With the holiday retail season around the corner, small businesses are looking to take advantage of the consumer shopping frenxy. Small Business Saturday, now in its second year, aims to give these small businesses the shot in the arm they need. - The National Trust Main Street Center Encourages Shoppers to Shop Small - Tonic
Doug Loescher of the National Trust Main Street Center says shopping locally is "powerful." Get in on the action by supporting Small Business Saturday on Nov....
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Unfortunately the going out of business for small places will continue as long as Americans crave the Wal-Mart goods and Dollar Store goods from China. It's a shame.
GALAXY 59, you're right, it can be done worldwide, because what's happening here is happening worldwide in some form or another.
BobbiRant, you're right the "Big Guys" do have a strangle hold on retail.
Thank you both for stopping, please come again.
Good Idea, I would not have thought of it.
Thanks dj, I hope you do shop on that day with a small business.
Hi fastfreta,
Your hub relates to so many different places all over the world.
It is the same here where I live in Wales, all the big supermarkets are closing down the small businesses. This is a shame but as I comment I am at the same time thinking of one 'small'businessman whose shop has been in the the family for two generations. His prices are sky high and he is so rude to anyone who is not a part of his 'clan.' So I do not understand why he doesn't take a very long look at himself and realise that he is driving so many people to shop in the superstores.
However I know that has nothing to do with the main theme of this hub (I just needed to get that off my chest I think!)I live in a small town and by this time next year we will have six large stores here.
It is a very hard and sad time for the owners who deserve to stay in business but thet are being trodden into the ground by these opposing giants.
Sadly I also think that many customers cannot afford to pay the prices that these small business owners have to charge in order to stay afloat. It really is a vicious circle !!!
Thanks for a great read fastfreta.
Take care.
The problem starts already at suppliers' level. They quote the small business far higher prices than the big boys instead of thinking to give the same prices or even lower to the small businesses. The point I am making is that these few items which a small business buys wouldn't make the loss or gain on profits. It is the big boys buying large numbers. So the suppliers should support the small people to give them an advantage in giving them thesame price.
Thank you both for stopping and validating this hub. I hope more people will read it and act on it.
Eiddwen, it's a shame that the shop owner that you mentioned is so shortsighted that he is actually aiding his competititors.
And Hello, hello, I never thought of the point that you made concerning the suppliers, but it make all the sense in the world, and you're right they should help, but we know they won't.
Again, thank you both for stopping, come again.
Hi fast fresta,
I am from India and big malls and big brands have just started to come like big bazzar ( like a wal mart) and i have seen they eating up business of small businessman who had a say kitchen ration shop about 10 ft by 10 ft size. It looks good right now because small businessman have learnt to respect the ppl who shop there, because earlier they would cheat their coustomers, would weigh 800 gms instead of a kg and things like that and if you ask for a refund they would be abusive. Since advent of big stores and people moving there , i have seen lots of change in their attitude, they are lot better behaved and cheat less now. Also they have started additional services atlest in new delhi like free home deleivery, so you order them on phone what you want, they tell you price and total bill on phone and then they would send the things at your door for no extra expenses, and now i have seen even pharmacist sending medicine to your home even if the cost of medicine is just 1$. This is helping them a long way and now their business is looking up again. So if you are sincere and want to offer a swervice which big stores wont, ppl would come back to them, otherwise why would anyone buy costlier things from someone recession or no recession because no one likes to pay extra for no reason.
Thank you so much Sweetie for that wonderful addition to my hub, that is very good advice to the Mom and Pop stores of the world. "BE FAIR," with your customers.
What a great reminder fastfreta. With all that big business around, we tend to forget about these small businesses that need our support. Come to think of it, one of my favorite stores (Macks Five and Dime) is going out of business because of lack of shoppers. Honestly, I had forgotten about the store until I was looking for a small tea set for my girls tea party - sad to say, they are going out of business due to lack of patronage.
What a shame Veronica about your local 5 & 10 store. I hope this Saturday November 27, 2010 will help small business everywhere. Thanks again for stopping.
What an excellent hub! I was not aware of this but I will be sure to spread the word. Thanks!!!
Thanks Wooded, I actually wrote this hub last year, but I just updated it for this year, which I'll do every year. I'll post it again later in the month, because I feel there's not enough attention paid to the small businesses. I know because I've been a small business owner before, and it's tough out there. Anyway, thanks again for stopping and reading.
Every person in America should do their holiday shopping at small US businesses. That would send a very big message to the 1% corporate powers! Voted up and awesome! ;D
Good idea SallyTX. Say, let's keep this idea going. How about liking the hub on Facebook, and Twitter. I plan to post it every few days, until the actual date has passed.
Dear Freta ~ I've been missing you. Thanks for this special reminder to put on our calendar. Yes. The small business owner has already been run out of town. All those little book nooks gone. However, I belong to a women's networking group of all small business owners and I highly recommend others to join one or form one in their town. Blessings, Debby
Thanks Debby, I've been here, I've actually been writing about my adventures since I lost my home, and begun traveling across country. I agree small business owners are having it rough, and the more we focus on them in a positive way, the better for them. Encourage your members to recommend this article to their associates. If everyone likes it on their Facebook page, especially close to the date, it might help. I plan to call attention to it the whole month. Thank you again for stopping, glad to see you again too.
I'll post to TWITTER and everyone will visit! I have an enormous following. Blessings, Debby
Thanks Debby, that's a good idea. Say, I just went over and became your follower on Twitter. I'm a very limited Twitterer. So, your post should help.
Hey there Freta ~ I'm now following you on Twitter. Please note that I tweet more than the average Tweep. You may wish to put me on a LIST and check my posts there. There is an ART to twitter.
Okay Debby, I'll go over and see if I can figure it out. Thanks for the follow.
GALAXY 59 Level 1 Commenter 18 months ago
This is so true, even over here in the UK things are the same. I see more and more small shops going out of business, as a family we try to support the local shops even if they do work out a little bit more expensive. I think we could do with a similar day over here too. Great hub.