Shop Small and Support Arlington Businesses This Saturday and All Holiday Season
By Office of Communication
Posted on November 23, 2021, November 23, 2021

Small Business Saturday

As you are marking items off your Christmas gift shopping list this season, be sure to stop by and support your favorite small businesses in The American Dream City.

You might not realize it, but every time you pick up a cup of coffee from your favorite Arlington neighborhood café or buy a gift from a local artist or boutique’s online store, you're shopping small and making a difference. Shop Small is a movement that supports small, independent businesses and calls attention to the valuable and distinct contributions they make to their communities and the economy.

The Shop Small movement was spurred by the widespread participation in Small Business Saturday, a day founded in 2010 by American Express. This national holiday shopping tradition is dedicated to celebrating small businesses and driving more customers through their doors on the Saturday after Thanksgiving. Nov. 27, 2021 marks the 12th annual Small Business Saturday, proudly backed by American Express.

Visit Downtown Arlington’s Down to Business podcast webpage to see some of the local small businesses available in the heart of the city. You can also visit Downtown's blog post detailing #ShopSmall promotions from restaurants and pubs to specialty services and shops. The Greater Arlington Chamber of Commerce has listed small business specials this Saturday on its website as well.

Shopping at a small business is on the busy holiday to-do list for a majority of U.S. consumers, according to recent American Express surveys. Doing so brings them joy and excitement, and they also are aware that seeking out small businesses – especially those that ethically source products and seek to minimize their environmental impact – is a way to show support for their local communities, said respondents in two seasonal surveys.

According to recent data shared in the Amex Trendex and the American Express Shop Small Impact Survey, would-be gift-givers are looking to do their part to have an overall positive impact:

American Express Shop Small Impact Survey

• 42% of consumers surveyed say they plan to Shop Small on Small Business Saturday (Nov. 27) and 80% of consumers say they are likely to shop small this holiday season
• 7-in-10 consumers surveyed agree that they are more conscious about making sure they shop at small businesses this year compared to previous years and seek out small businesses when shopping
• 79% of consumers surveyed agree that the best and most unique holiday gifts come from small businesses

Amex Trendex, an American Express trend report

• 75% of consumers surveyed agree that shopping in-person at a small business brings them joy and drives excitement for the holidays

It’s important to consumers surveyed to purchase holiday gifts that:
• Support small or local businesses (81%)
• Are ethically sourced (63%)
• Are sustainable/minimize their environmental impact (64%)
• From retailers that are certified B Corporations (50%)
• Are from women-owned businesses (45%)
• Are from minority-owned businesses (47%)


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