Get rewarded and shop this holiday season at discounted prices

If you want to save money, support your community, and be rewarded for your holiday shopping, one of your best options is to shop at smaller stores. When you spend your money on local businesses, a portion of your hard-earned dollars goes back into the community, ensuring your neighborhood can continue to support those retailers that offer unique products, services, classes. and opportunities.

This includes small businesses like Pink House Alchemy, a Fayetteville, Arkansas-based retailer that sells farm-to-bottle syrups, bitters, and shrubs. “When COVID hit the US last year, it was devastating,” founder and CEO Emily Lawson said in a 2021 interview. “We closed our business in March 2020 after losing 80 percent of our business when I was seven months pregnant with my third child. I was so worried about my employees and how they would survive. I was afraid for myself and our children. Those were some of the most stressful moments of my life. But we survived.”

This commitment has paid off not only for Lawson’s small business, but for its loyal customers as well. “Now we are trending better than ever,” she told us.

If you’re planning on spending part of your holiday season supporting a small business, it’s good to know how to get the most out of your purchases – whether you’re hoping to build your community, take advantage of local sales and discounts, or earn credit card rewards on everything you buy. . That’s why we’ve put together a guide to help you improve your small business buying strategies, starting with Small Business Saturday and continuing through the end of the year.

Why is it important to support small businesses?

Many Americans are turning to small businesses for vacations this year. According to a new Bankrate survey, 59 percent of holiday shoppers are likely to shop on Small Business Saturday, which is November 26, 2022. This is slightly more than those who said they would shop on Black Friday, at 56 percent.

When you buy a local product, you are not only taking the opportunity to show someone you care, but you are also investing in small business owners, their employees, and the local community. Supporting small local businesses is one of the best ways to contribute to the vitality of your area, especially if you combine your purchasing power with other forms of support such as attending small business events or promoting your small business on social media.

While foot traffic is an important element in the success of most small businesses, today’s small businesses have found many ways to connect with customers online and in person. And while many smaller retailers sell through their own storefronts and websites, they also partner with big online retailers like Amazon to connect with shoppers around the world.

“We are very lucky to have such loyal customers who support our small business and continue to visit us at our Fayetteville retail store,” says Lawson, “in addition to purchasing items through our website, Amazon and Walmart.com.”

This gives you ample opportunity to support your small business, whether you plan to shop this holiday season in person, online, or on your mobile phone.

Six ways to support small businesses

“Supporting small businesses can go beyond buying gifts in our stores,” said Justin Hoffman, co-owner of Otown Flowers in Orlando, Florida.

Here are six additional ways to ensure your favorite local businesses get what they need to succeed:

• Support them online. Many people think that shopping locally means visiting small businesses in person, but most local business owners also allow you to shop online. However, that doesn’t mean you should exclude small businesses from your holiday shopping strategy. Some small businesses even offer free shipping to locals.
• Buy gift cards. Gifts are great, but when you give someone a local business gift card, you’re giving someone the opportunity to visit a trusted local retailer in person, and you’re also giving the local business a chance to build a relationship with a new customer.
• Attend social events. Many small businesses organize or sponsor community events, from “chest or treats” to “Indian lynxes.” These events build community and strengthen relationships between businesses and customers. Whether you’re signing up for a wine tasting or a book club, start adding small business events to your calendar.
• Eat locally. The next time you don’t know what to make for dinner, choose a local national chain restaurant. Eat locally often enough and you can become a repeat customer – which often means big smiles when you walk in the door, and even the chance to try new dishes or desserts before they hit the main menu.
• advice good. Supporting small businesses also means supporting people who work in the state, and some of these workers depend on tips to make ends meet. A recent CreditCards.com poll showed that people will tip less in 2022 than they did before the pandemic, which is not good for small businesses or communities. Whether you’re dining at home or ordering takeaway, be sure to give all attendees the tip they deserve.
• Promotion of small business in social networks. “We really enjoy connecting with our clients on social media,” says Lawson. “People can be so creative and it’s such a great feeling to see something that someone has created with your product.” Don’t feel especially creative? There are many other ways to support small businesses on social media. “Liking a photo on Instagram or leaving a review on Google can make a difference in whether a potential client decides to call us or not,” explains Hoffman. Sharing your love for a local business on social media can help connect new customers to your business.

Saturday Local Shopping for Small Businesses

Small Business Saturday is held annually on the Saturday after Thanksgiving, but few people know that this shopping holiday was initiated and launched by American Express in 2010. Amex has since expanded the idea from one Saturday in November to an annual one. movement called Shop Small.

We’ll let Amex explain how Shop Small came about: “American Express cares deeply about thriving communities and believes that small business is at the heart of every thriving neighborhood. That’s why – in the midst of the 2010 recession – we created “Small Business Saturday” on the Saturday after Thanksgiving to encourage people to shop in small quantities and offer small businesses more holiday shopping.”

There are many benefits to small business shopping, whether you’re targeting the Saturday after Thanksgiving or shopping locally throughout the year. A small business can provide a sense of community that you are unlikely to get when shopping at a large store or ordering online from a large retailer. Once you get to know the small business owner, they can recommend products, create personalized merchandise, or connect you with other members of the community who share similar interests.

Plus, small purchases give you the chance to take advantage of your favorite local retailer’s sales and specials – and those deals are likely to be plentiful on Saturday for small businesses.

Saturday is also a great opportunity for small businesses to purchase items in person without worrying about shipping, logistics, or supply chain issues. However, it is a good idea to make your purchases as early as possible. Small business owners are also facing shipping delays and potential product shortages – and your favorite retailers may be running out of certain best-selling items this year.

“The flower industry is facing a lot of supply chain challenges,” Hoffman told us. “The best way a client can guarantee success is to call as early as possible, no matter what you’re looking for.”

If the item you want is out of stock, don’t worry. “The small business owner will always offer an alternative,” says Hoffman, “and that’s another advantage of small purchases.

How to Get Credit Card Rewards on Saturday Small Business

There are plenty of ways for you to earn Saturday credit card rewards for small businesses, especially if you have a credit card with the best rewards in your wallet. The Flat Rate Cashback Card is a great way to earn Small Business Saturday credit card rewards because you get the same percentage of cashback no matter where you shop. For example, the Wells Fargo Active Cash® card offers a 2 percent cash reward on purchases, making it a great choice for businesses of all sizes.

You may also want to consider a credit card that rewards spending at a restaurant. Many consumers spent the early days of the pandemic supporting small businesses by ordering takeout (and, in some cases, toilet paper) from their favorite local restaurants — and this Small Business Saturday, you can continue to show your support by ordering lunch. bring home a pizza or even pick up a gift card. The Citi Premier® Card offers 3 points for every dollar at restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations, flights and hotels, giving you the opportunity to earn high-level rewards not only on Saturday for small businesses, but throughout the holiday shopping and travel season .

If you have an American Express credit card, you can use Amex’s Shop Small tools to find small businesses that accept American Express cards.

Remember that any rewards you earn can help cover your vacation expenses, whether you’re earning vacation miles, converting cash into statement credits, or redeeming points for gifts.

bottom line

“People definitely want to support small businesses,” Hoffman told us. “I think the pandemic has prompted a lot of people to look for new ways to connect with their communities, and supporting nearby businesses is one of those ways.”

Whether you’re placing a takeout order at the end of a busy day, setting aside a Sunday afternoon for a class at your local store, or putting together your small business holiday shopping list, taking the time to shop locally can have significant benefits. not only in your life, but in the lives of everyone around you.

You can use your shopping savvy to save money, support small businesses, and earn credit card rewards that can be redeemed for even more holiday savings. Consider this a gift not only to your friends and family, but to the entire community, many of whom will spend Small Business Saturday doing the same.

“Every year I see more activity around Small Business Saturday,” says Hoffman. “I expect it to keep growing!”