Supporting South Dakota Businesses On Small Business Saturday

Interposed between the furor of Black Friday and Cyber Monday, Small Business Saturday is an opportunity for South Dakota shoppers to stand by the local business community and in turn, give a boost to the local economy. 

Small Business Saturday is a day dedicated to celebrating small businesses and encouraging consumers to shop at local establishments. Now in its 12th year, Small Business Saturday falls on November 27. American Express started Small Business Saturday in 2010 in the midst of the recession to give small businesses a boost. The movement gained significant traction in 2011, when the Senate unanimously passed a resolution supporting the day. Since then, Small Business Saturday has grown into a national movement, with over $120 billion in spending recorded since its inception.

Why We Support Local Businesses on Small Business Saturday

Ideally, community members would shop local all year long in order to create the greatest impact on our local economy. Small Business Saturday is a reminder to do so, and a fun reason to visit local shops and retailers to see what they have to offer. According to the National Federation of Independent Businesses, the support small businesses receive on Small Business Saturday helps them start the holiday season strong. This is critical since the majority of small retailers report generating their most sales during the holiday season. However, it’s not just business owners who benefit. The entire community wins when you shop local.

Shop Local and Gain the Benefits

1. Builds Local Communities: When you support local businesses, you are supporting your friends, family, and neighbors. These business owners are the people who you smile at while grocery shopping and who support community activities like youth sports. Their livelihood supports everyone’s quality of life.
2. Strengthen the Local Economy to Promote Future Growth: Business success promotes expansion and attracts other businesses. This is important for economic vitality.
3. Local Small Businesses Add Character: South Dakota’s wide open spaces attract visitors. Small businesses like bakeries or boutiques add character and charm that can be an additional draw for folks from far and wide, as well as from neighboring communities.
4. Creates More Jobs and Opportunities:  According to the Small Business Association, big businesses have eliminated 4 million jobs since 1990, while small businesses added 8 million jobs within that same time period. Small businesses are more likely to be people-oriented, more likely to be community-oriented, and more likely to support local causes.
5. Tax Dollars Stay Local and Reenter the Community: When you shop local this holiday season, you support your neighbors and build community, while keeping tax revenue and jobs in South Dakota. The funds are used to fix streets, maintain upkeep, and support day-to-day operations. National statistics show that for every dollar spent at a small business, 67 cents stays within your local economy. In addition to helping schools and other organizations through taxes, small businesses are often the organizations that support local youth sports teams, charities, and events.
6. More Personalized Customer Service: There is something special about shopping at a local store where the owners greet you by name, swap stories with you, and ask about the kids. Shopping can be a fulfilling interaction moving beyond just “add to cart.”

There really isn’t any downside when it comes to shopping locally. Business owners will always evaluate their local and national competitors to try to offer higher quality products at the prices that consumers can afford. Communities are made stronger when you take a moment to visit your local stores before shopping online.

Learn how GROW South Dakota can help your business succeed. Contact us at 605.698.7654  or email us at  info@growsd.org.