Small Business Saturday is Right Around the Corner; Be Sure to Plan Your Holiday Shopping Strategy
By Julie Perine on November 25, 2015 via Connect-Bridgeport.com
Thirteen Bridgeport businesses are offering specials on Small Business Saturday®, slated for Nov. 28. Participating retailers and service companies are passing on their appreciation to customers who choose to do business with them on the biggest shopping weekend of the year.
Immediately following Black Friday, Small Business Saturday® was initiated by American Express and first observed Nov. 27, 2010, as a counterpart to the big-box retail Black Friday and e-commerce Cyber Monday.
"Small Business Saturday® is a day to celebrate and support small businesses for all they contribute to our communities," said Nikki Bowmar of the U.S. Small Business Administration."It’s a day for us all to do our part to support those jobs and economic growth in your own backyard. Visit your Main Street merchants to find unique, handmade gifts that you won’t find at a big-box retailer. Afterwards, dine small at a local restaurant to usher in the new tradition of supporting local eateries too."
Bridgeport City Clerk Andrea Kerr localized the observance by asking businesses within city limits to offer specials, after which she assembled a flyer for customers' convenience.
“I’ve wanted to do a promotion like this for a while and I’m glad it came to fruition this year,” she said. “I hope that it grows and grows every year.”
With the hype of Black Friday, it is often the big-box retailers who see the most business during the holidays, Kerr said.
“Sometimes I think our small businesses get skipped over a lot and I want to draw attention to the fact that they are there, they are offering some great deals, they are local folks and we should all support them as much as we support others in Bridgeport,” she said.
Based on sales, business and occupation taxes paid by Bridgeport businesses become part of the city’s revenue, thereby helping the city to grow and prosper.
"Business and occupation taxes are assessed on the gross revenue of anyone doing business inside of our city limits," said City of Bridgeport Finance Director Monica Musgrave. "These taxes are an integral part of the city's revenue, making up approximately 39 percent of the revenues budgeted for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2016."
It is important that consumers spend holiday dollars in their own cities of residence.
"Small businesses create two of every three new net private-sector jobs in the United States and in West Virginia, small businesses make up nearly 96 percent of all employers in the state," Bowmar said. "They spur economic development in communities across our country and are giving millions of families and individuals the opportunity to achieve the American dream. When we shop small, we’re contributing to and supporting our unique local small businesses, and elevating their potential."
According to statistics, an estimated 88 million consumers “Shop Small” on Small Business Saturday®, Bowmar said.
"Seventy-seven percent of consumers said Small Business Saturday® inspires them to “Shop Small” through the year and not just for the holidays," she said. "In addition, 66 percent of consumers state the main reason they support small businesses is because of their contributions to the community."
This Bridgeport shopping flyer can also be downloaded at bridgeportwv.com or picked up at Bridgeport Municipal Building on West Main Street. It is not necessary to have the flyer in hand to receive featured discounts and other offers, Kerr said.
Editor's Note: Pictured top is Kerr and just above is the Benedum Civic Center in December of 2014. This week and next, holiday decorations will be springing up at the Civic Center and along Bridgeport's Main Street corridor.
