While everyone is gearing up for Black Friday, the big box deal day that kicks off the shopping season, Small Business Saturday is another great way to get your holiday shopping started while supporting local businesses.
Here’s why we shop small and how to find stores to support online.
Initially launched by American Express in 2010, Small Business Saturday (or Shop Small Saturday) encourages consumers to shop at one of the 33 million independent businesses that exist in the U.S. In 2011, the Senate passed a resolution officially recognizing the Saturday after Thanksgiving as Small Business Saturday.
With a later Thanksgiving, Small Business Saturday barely lands in November this year. The shopping event is Nov. 30, 2024.
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If you’d like to buy local or from a small business for your holiday shopping, Google made it a little easier with a new feature they launched last holiday season: A small business filter for search and maps, Google allows shoppers to find products offered online by local retailers that identify as small businesses.
Here’s how it works:
On “search,” look for the “small business” filter when shopping on desktop or mobile, or select the filter on “maps” on mobile when looking for local businesses.
Tap the filter to see products from merchants who identify as small businesses.
Amazon also now has options for finding small stores. With the Amazon Support Small filter, buyers can sift through an assortment of small businesses on the site. You can even turn on further filters, searching specific categories like toys or clothing, or support specific communities like Black-owned or LGBTQ+ owned stores.
Etsy is known for its array of small businesses to choose from. With a variety of products — décor, jewelry and handmade clothing galore — the online marketplace is a community of independent sellers, so you always know you’re supporting small.
It’s simple and straightforward, with a “search” bar right up top. You can also try looking through their “Editor’s Pick” holiday guides, “Very Merry deals” list or their gift finder page, with a category for everyone.
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Betty Lin-Fisher, a reporter for USA TODAY, contributed to this report.
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