Free Resources: Support your Local Alpaca Farm on Small Business Saturday!

With Black Friday and Cyber Monday looming, we’ve all been inundated with marketing for the hottest deals and steals of the season. Let’s face it: as an alpaca farmer, your morning chores may prevent you from standing in line at 3am, and while the internet has allowed you to reach new customers, local community support has always been the key to your success. There’s no need to say “Bah Humbug,” however, as Small Business Saturday is the perfect opportunity to capitalize on the after-Thanksgiving shopping rush.
 

Small Business Saturday began in 2010 as a joint venture between American Express and a number of other parties, though it has since evolved and taken on a life of its own. The shopping holiday, which falls on the last Saturday of November, is now in its 10th year. Held this year on November 30th, Small Business Saturday urges consumers to shop at locally owned small and independent businesses.

Last year, the holiday drove record sales to small businesses, while also illustrating the joys of shopping small, as “96% of consumers who reported shopping on Small Business Saturday said the day makes them want to Shop Small all year long, not just during the holiday season.”¹

Why Does Small Business Saturday Matter?

• In 2018, U.S. consumers reported spending a record high of an estimated $17.8 billion at independent retailers and restaurants on Small Business Saturday.
• Small businesses comprise 99.9% of all United States businesses. 
• Small businesses employ over 58.9 million people in the U.S.A.
• Small businesses invest more of their revenue into the local economy, community, and employees, and are more likely to be socially and civically engaged in the community.
• Locally owned businesses are often more invested in the financial wellbeing of their employees, while shopping at big box companies drives income inequality.²
   

As an alpaca farmer, you are already in your prime sales season, so seize the day and host an event, join a market, or have an open house on Small Business Saturday! Be sure to let your customers know the benefits of shopping local!

Free Resources:

Click Here --> Downloadable Shop Small Alpaca Banner Click Here --> Downloadable Shop Small Alpaca Infographic Click Here --> Downloadable Shop Small Alpaca Logo

The American Express Website has some free resources available for businesses to gear up for Small Business Saturday:

Customizable Marketing Materials: https://www.americanexpress.com/us/small-business/shop-small/studio?intlink=us-mer-sbrc-sbs-studio
Shop Small Map: https://merchant-global.americanexpress.com/login/public-profile

1,2. Statistics from https://www.americanexpress.com/us/small-business/shop-small/about?linknav=us-loy-homepage-learnmore & https://www.sba.gov/sites/default/files/advocacy/2018-Small-Business-Profiles-US.pdf