Today, in the mass consumer world, is Black Friday. Instead, we ask that you support Plaid Friday.
The name Plaid Friday celebrates the diversity and creativity of independent businesses. Plaid Friday is the fun and enjoyable alternative to the big box store "Black Friday", and is designed to promote both local and independently owned businesses during the holidays.
Plaid Friday was conceptualized in Oakland, CA, a city known for strong shop local campaigns. Plaid Friday brings back the nostalgic times when shopping for friends and family was a pleasurable leisurely activity.
Tomorrow, Saturday November 24th, is Small Business Saturday. Please stop by and visit us and support the numerous artists who sell their handmade items in our boutique. From the American Express Shop Small Website, "Small Business Saturday is a day for everyone — from the business owners who create jobs to the customers who buy locally — to support small businesses that invigorate the economy and keep communities thriving.
It began in 2010 when American Express founded Small Business Saturday to help small businesses get more exposure during one of the biggest shopping weekends of the year. Last year, over 100 million people came out to shop at independently-owned small businesses on the day. Now, in its third year, Small Business Saturday will be even bigger."
If you're wondering why you keep hearing so many pleas to shop small & to shop local, it's mainly due to the difference in economic impact your spending makes. Shopping at a big box store sends much of your money out of your community. Sure, members of your local community are employed at those stores and receive a paycheck that they may spend in your local economy, but small, locally owned businesses keep much more of your money in your community. From an article in the Raleigh News Observer, "Smaller retailers return a total of 51.1 percent of revenue to the local economy, while national chains, such as Barnes & Noble and Target, return an average of 13.6 percent of revenue within the market that hosts the store, according to an impact study by Civic Economics of Austin, Texas. The research firm compared the economic impacts of independent, locally owned businesses in Raleigh with major national chains."
If you're wondering why you keep hearing so many pleas to shop small & to shop local, it's mainly due to the difference in economic impact your spending makes. Shopping at a big box store sends much of your money out of your community. Sure, members of your local community are employed at those stores and receive a paycheck that they may spend in your local economy, but small, locally owned businesses keep much more of your money in your community. From an article in the Raleigh News Observer, "Smaller retailers return a total of 51.1 percent of revenue to the local economy, while national chains, such as Barnes & Noble and Target, return an average of 13.6 percent of revenue within the market that hosts the store, according to an impact study by Civic Economics of Austin, Texas. The research firm compared the economic impacts of independent, locally owned businesses in Raleigh with major national chains."
Thanks for shopping at our small business, and the other local small businesses in our area. American Express offers a great graphic to explain the importance here.
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