On Small Business Saturday, the message from north-east retailers is clear – support local businesses.
Independent traders from across the country are uniting for Small Business Saturday today.
The yearly event is described by organisers as “a grass-roots, non-commercial” campaign to highlight small business success and encourage consumers to “shop local”.
The Small Business Saturday campaign was originally founded by American Express in the United States in 2010, and it remains the principal supporter of the campaign in the UK.
Recent research found that while just over a third (36%) of small business owners feel optimistic about the next six months, one fifth (28%) also say they feel stressed and nervous, and 69% are diversifying their business operations in response to current challenges.
Independent retailers across the region hope shoppers will show their support as the main Christmas shopping season hits full stride.
Support of the public is needed
Laura Henderson is the owner of Just A Wee Gift which specialises in making and supplying hampers and gifts for all occasions.
She launched her business in 2017 when she was looking for a hamper as a gift for a relative but couldn’t find anyone local to make it.
Since then the mum-of-one has continued to grow her business and now offers a range of other products including personalised gift boxes, activity packs, explosion boxes and nappy cakes for any theme and budget.
She said: “As a small business owner it’s been really really hard during Covid and I think supporting local businesses is so important, especially with the high street at the moment.
“Within my hampers I use local suppliers as it’s important to help each other out.”
She said her business is about “spreading the word and attending local events”.
“A lot of people are now shopping online but I think people need to get out there and see other businesses because there’s a lot of very talented people out there,” she said.
“In the long run local businesses will always remain but we need the support of the public.”
Help grow local economies
People are being asked to support Small Business Saturday in a number of ways including visiting your local high street, visiting an independent restaurant, bar or takeaway, hiring local suppliers and tradespeople and shopping with small retailers online.
Independent shoe chain Begg Shoes, which has branches across the region from Inverurie to Inverness, is a strong supporter of the shop local message.
Managing director Donald Begg said: “At its core, shopping locally is a fantastic way to explore the riches of your community and support the business and people within it.
“It allows you to meet individuals with a genuine passion for what they do and, as a result, experience a level of service and expertise that is hard to replicate.
“It’s important that we continue to shop locally to ensure that these businesses can continue to thrive.”
Christmas important trading period
Federation of Small Businesses north-east development manager Mike Duncan said: “Christmas is one of the most important trading periods for many retailers, with a large percentage of annual sales taking place in the run-up to the big day.
“With the cost of living crisis really biting, shoppers want their hard earned money to do the most good it can, and by shopping locally they can grow their local economies and support their local communities.
“This Christmas, I would like to encourage people not only to use your local shops, but to celebrate your local shops.
“Take selfies, post pictures, tag friends and have a laugh. Show the world that you’re spreading Christmas cheer right along your high-street and supporting independent small businesses when they need it the most.”
Small Business Saturday director Michelle Ovens said: “The nation loves small businesses, but with business owners facing so many economic challenges at the moment they need a major boost.
“Public support is so powerful, it can make a massive difference.”