Small Business Saturday.
Thousands of small businesses are set to take part in the UK’s first annual Small Business Saturday (SBS UK). Designed to encourage communities to shop local and support small businesses, the inaugural event will take place on Saturday 7 December and include businesses ranging from business-to-business firms to small local coffee shops.The initiative has already proven hugely successful in the US since it launched there three years ago. Falling on the first Saturday after Thanksgiving – one of the busiest shopping days of the year in the US – the event receives heavy celebrity endorsement and promotion via social media. US consumers spent a total of £3.4 billion through independent retailers following the campaign, which was backed by President Barack Obama and celebrities including tennis star Serena Williams.Here in the UK, the event will coincide with the Christmas shopping rush. Championed by shadow business secretary Chukka Umunna, it is now supported by Government and business groups such as the British Chambers of Commerce and the Forum of Private Business (FPB). Large corporations including American Express and O2 are even showing their support by promoting the event.Working with the SBS UK team, the FPB have given advice for businesses wanting to get involved with the big day.
How to get involved
Promote the day
Show support for SBS UK by building up the hype in the run up to the day. Official marketing material will be available to download from the SBSUK team soon. You can also advertise the event by displaying posters in and around your premises.
Talk about it
Show your support by talking about the event. Tell your customers about the day via your social media channels. Follow the event’s official social media campaigns on Facebook and Twitter (@SmallBizSatUK) and post your ideas and plans for the day.
Special offers and promotions
Attract new customers and generate a buzz by offering special offers, promotions and discounts for your products or services on the day. Could you offer a free gift wrapping service to make the most of the run up to Christmas? Could your town incorporate the day into Christmas market plans or another special festive event?What are your plans for Small Business Saturday?
Thousands of small businesses are set to take part in the UK’s first annual Small Business Saturday (SBS UK). Designed to encourage communities to shop local and support small businesses, the inaugural event will take place on Saturday 7 December and include businesses ranging from business-to-business firms to small local coffee shops.
The initiative has already proven hugely successful in the US since it launched there three years ago. Falling on the first Saturday after Thanksgiving – one of the busiest shopping days of the year in the US – the event receives heavy celebrity endorsement and promotion via social media. US consumers spent a total of £3.4 billion through independent retailers following the campaign, which was backed by President Barack Obama and celebrities including tennis star Serena Williams.
Here in the UK, the event will coincide with the Christmas shopping rush. Championed by shadow business secretary Chukka Umunna, it is now supported by Government and business groups such as the British Chambers of Commerce and the Forum of Private Business (FPB). Large corporations including American Express and O2 are even showing their support by promoting the event.
Working with the SBS UK team, the FPB have given advice for businesses wanting to get involved with the big day.
How to get involved
Promote the day
Show support for SBS UK by building up the hype in the run up to the day. Official marketing material will be available to download from the SBSUK team soon. You can also advertise the event by displaying posters in and around your premises.
Talk about it
Show your support by talking about the event. Tell your customers about the day via your social media channels. Follow the event’s official social media campaigns on Facebook and Twitter (@SmallBizSatUK) and post your ideas and plans for the day.
Special offers and promotions
Attract new customers and generate a buzz by offering special offers, promotions and discounts for your products or services on the day. Could you offer a free gift wrapping service to make the most of the run up to Christmas? Could your town incorporate the day into Christmas market plans or another special festive event?
What are your plans for Small Business Saturday? Contact us to talk about support you may need.