THE MOST CRUCIAL SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY YET

The public is being urged to get behind their favourite small firms this Small Business Saturday (3 December), as business owners up and down the country face a major raft of challenges, with the cost-of-living crisis and onset of recession.
As the iconic campaign gears up to celebrate ten years in the UK, new data reveals just how tough the current economic climate is proving for small businesses.
According to research from the campaign’s founder and principal supporter American Express, two thirds (66 per cent) of small businesses see rising costs as the biggest challenge to running their business over the next six months, with 61 per cent citing the rising cost of energy and half naming economic uncertainty.
Over two thirds (69%) are continuing to diversify their business to respond to the current crisis, after 72% did so in the wake of the pandemic. 1
Small Business Saturday celebrates small business success and encourages people to ‘shop local’ and support businesses in their communities. And organisers are calling for a significant show of support from across the nation, as small firms head into the crucial festive trading period.
“Small businesses are the life and soul of our economy, society, and communities. But with everything they have been through, many are now really finding things tough as economic conditions worsen,” said Michelle Ovens CBE, director of Small Business Saturday UK.
“Public support is urgently needed. We need to all show our favourite small businesses just how much we love and appreciate them this weekend and beyond. It can have a transformational impact.”
Over the ten years the campaign has been running in the UK it has engaged millions around the value of small businesses and seen billions of pounds spent with small firms on Small Business Saturday.

The Prime Minister and the Mayor of London are among those who have publicly supported this year’s campaign.

Business Secretary Grant Shapps said: “As a former small business owner myself who founded my printing company aged 21, I will always beat the drum for UK SMEs – particularly on the 10thanniversary of Small Business Saturday – where I encourage everyone to pop in and support their local stores.

“While it’s a challenging time for firms of all sizes, we’re putting small businesses at the heart of our plans to unlock economic growth – from our Energy Bill Relief scheme that is shielding them from high energy costs, to our Start Up and Recovery Loan schemes supporting them to invest, grow, and thrive.”

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “Small businesses are the lifeblood of the London economy, and it is more important than ever that we do all that we can to protect those facing uncertain futures due to the cost of living crisis.

Small Business Saturday recognises the vital role that these businesses play in London’s economy and is a great opportunity to show them our appreciation and support”.

“I’m encouraging all Londoners to get involved this weekend by shopping local and supporting the small businesses they love, helping to ensure a better and more prosperous city for all.”
A grassroots, not-for-profit campaign, Small Business Saturday was originally founded by American Express in the U.S. in 2010.
On Small Business Saturday, customers across the UK go out and support all types of small businesses, both online and in bricks-and-mortar stores; from independent shops and restaurants to small service and b2b based businesses like accountants and digital marketeers. Many small businesses celebrate the day by hosting events, offering promotions, and collaborating with other small businesses.

Simona Deifta, founder of vegan cooking sauce company NOJO said “Small Business Saturday is a brilliant initiative and goes a long way to support businesses just like ours. Being spotlighted by the campaign has been such a boost, particularly during such an uncertain time, and we’re really looking forward to celebrating the day this Saturday”.

A person cooking in a kitchen

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“We love Small Business Saturday and we’re overjoyed to be one of this year’s SmallBiz100,” said Paola Dyboski, owner of Dr Zigs, which manufactures sustainable bubble toys in North Wales.
“Supporting small businesses like ours is really important. Small businesses bring vibrancy and diversity to the community, and this can definitely be felt within rural areas like ours.”
The trend to support small businesses has gained momentum since the Small Business Saturday campaign arrived in the UK ten years ago, and according to the campaign’s new data 67% of small firms believe customers are shopping small to support them in current climate. 2