Small Business Saturday UK preview

by Startacus Admin

Small Business Saturday - 7th December

We previously highlighted Small Business Saturday back in September on Startacus, with a promise that we would be back, closer to the time with a little more detail on how you can get involved on the day. And like the well oiled machine of quality content that we are, we return to do just that.

So...lets summarize...

Small Business Saturday is a US grassroots movement that focuses on promoting and encouraging US consumers to buy local from small local businesses on a specific day of the year.

Last year in the States, the campaign created a whopping $3.5 billion for the US local economy as a whole and consequently a big impact for lots of small and local businesses.

Spin aside (some of that $3.5 billion would have surely be spent anyway), this is a fab campaign that helps people not only consider who they should buy from on one particular day, but also perhaps consider where and from whom they should buy from that point onwards.

In the UK, Small Business Saturday, was initially developed by Chuka Umunna, the Shadow Secretary of State for Business, Innovation & Skill, who introduced the US initiative here in the UK.

It’s good to see that this movement has cross party support - it’s not just a political plan to create some decent spin. This year, 7th December is the date when it all takes place.

And the big events and plans for the day?

We were initially a little stumped with this. No big events (that we can see on the Small Business Saturday site), no Mary Portas or other such celeb TV show (that we can see)...But, and it’s only a but….maybe that is really the point.

Small Business Saturday doesn’t really need big and expensive events, because “you the people” are the big events and planners for that day. Of course, if the drive is to get the consumer to consume in local shops, cafes and businesses - then we’ve all gotta make a conscious effort and just go and do it.

Here are a few hints for what you could do on the day itself...

• Consumers and Small Businesses - tweet about it using the hashtag (#SmallBizSatUK) and follow the national campaign @SmallBizSatUK

• Small Businesses - post your ideas, plans, special day discounts on Small Business Saturday on Facebook

• Small Businesses and of course consumers - download the marketing pack that is available via the Small Business Satursday website. There are all sorts of banners and logos you can use to show your involvement and support

• Consumers - Go buy stuff in local shops

There! Now it’s up to you.

We look forward to seeing if the day is a success and good luck to all the small businesses out there in making the most out of and from the day.

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Published on: 1st December 2013