Whilst bigger businesses tend to reap the rewards from Black Friday and Cyber Monday, it is often hard for smaller businesses to compete. That’s why Small Business Saturday has, for the past five years, proved to be an excellent opportunity for UK small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) – both online and offline – to benefit from a welcomed boost to sales in the run up to Christmas.
Small Business Saturday is an annual campaign that supports and promotes local business on the first Saturday of December, the busiest shopping day each year. Taking place on 2 December this year, the campaign aims to encourage consumers to support their community by spending their money in independent, local businesses, rather than big high street chains. Many small businesses take part in the day by hosting events and offering discounts.
In 2016, an estimated £717 million was spent with small businesses across the UK on Small Business Saturday, an increase of 15 per cent on last year. Over 130,000 tweets were sent on the day itself reaching more than 120 million people, with Small Business Saturday UK trending at number one in the UK and at number 5 globally. Politicians, entrepreneurs and British talent alike all lent their voices publicly in support of the initiative.
Michelle Ovens, Director of Small Business Saturday, says: “[The campaign] has really captured the hearts of communities and it gains in traction year on year. This is not just because it’s a nice message, but because everyone gains from it: small businesses are getting new customers and revenues, customers are meeting new businesses that offer great service, great value and [are run by] local people who know your name when you walk through the door. It is not altruism – communities and the economy benefit when small businesses are better supported.”
Small Business Saturday – get involved!
Whether you are a family business, local shop, online business, wholesaler, business service or small manufacturer, Small Business Saturday is supporting you! Logos, digital banners, a social media guide and toolkits are available to download from the website at www.smallbusinesssaturdayuk.com – these can be displayed online or on your premises. Businesses around the country can also upload information to the ‘My Small Business’ tab on the website highlighting any special events or promotional offers you will be running for Small Business Saturday.
Beavis Morgan – advisers to UK’s SMEs
At Beavis Morgan, we are proud to get behind Small Business Saturday, in support of SMEs located across the UK. With extensive experience of providing specialist accounting, tax and business advice and planning to SMEs, we are on hand to assist you to remain profitable and increase your net worth.
For more information about how we can help you and your SME business, please contact Steve Govey or your usual Beavis Morgan Partner.