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Black Friday gets a lot of press this time of year but there are two other events — Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday — that also work to attract shoppers and their money.
Small Business Saturday was held for the first time last November, as a response to Black Friday and in support of small businesses. American Express created the holiday last year to boost patronage at small businesses, and partnered with Facebook to promote the event. American Express also announced the event on radio and television through advertisements.
According to MSN Money’s Staff Writer Stacy Johnson, on Small Business Saturday, you could get free money.
“For Amex cardholders, shopping local on Nov. 26 can net a $25 credit on a $25 purchase,” wrote Johnson. “Check out the Small Business Saturday Facebook page for details on how and where. (FedEx partnered with American Express to offer 40,000 $25 Amex gift cards to non-Amex customers too, but they ran out in about an hour.)”
You could find something different at a small business.
“They often have unique items or services you won’t find in the mass retailers,” she said. “These can make great gifts.”
You could help “preserve unique places to eat, drink, and shop. That uniqueness can also help create a community character and a sense of place. Think of the reasons you like to travel — it’s probably not because the destinations have another McDonald’s or Walmart. Shopping at these stores helps keep them alive, and encourages new ones.”
“The service is often much better,” wrote Johnson. “More than 20 percent of consumers in the American Express survey listed being greeted by name and getting personal recommendations as the primary reason for shopping small. Local businesses depend on maintaining relationships, unlike the giants who sometimes seem too successful to care.”
Small businesses support the local area with their taxes, by creating jobs, and often by buying from and working with other local companies, noted Johnson.
To see a list of small businesses in Richmond County that will be participating in Small Business Saturday, go to www.facebook.com/SmallBusinessSaturday and enter your ZIP code. Businesses listed on the website were submitted by American Express, as those businesses accept the American Express card. However, many of those businesses do not know they are listed there, and some will be closed on Small Business Saturday.
Cyber Monday is the online version of Black Friday and Small Business Saturday. At CyberMonday.com, “Get special offers including free shipping at hundreds of merchants during the holidays and throughout the year. On the day of Cyber Monday there will be hourly specials and exclusives from your favorite online retailers. Sneak peeks of the hourly deals will be shared via email alerts so make sure to sign up for special savings and the latest offers,” read its website.
Cyber Monday is ideal for people who would rather shop online. Online shoppers avoid long lines at checkout, and many retailers will gift-wrap your items before sending them out.
On CyberMonday.com, top retailers are listed that offer free shipping, such as Barnes & Nobles, QVC.com, The Body Shop and Anne Klein. The list goes on for pages. In one stop, with a few mouse clicks, you could have your holiday shopping behind you and on its way. With online shopping, you can choose if you want the package to come to your house, or you can have the gift wrapped and sent directly to your relatives. This cuts down on the cost of shipping to family across the country.
