Gov. Kay Ivey and others encourage Alabamians to shop at and support small businesses on Saturday, citing their importance to the state’s economy.
Small Business Saturday follows Thanksgiving and Black Friday each year.
“The Saturday after Thanksgiving is a time when many of us gather with family and friends, often to enjoy one of Alabama’s great traditions, the Iron Bowl,” Ivey said in a written statement. “As you prepare for the holiday season – and perhaps for the big game – I encourage everyone to take a moment to visit local small businesses. It’s a great way to celebrate the season, support your community and make this weekend a win for our great state.”
Alabama is home to 449,024 small businesses making up 99.4% of all businesses in the state, according to the U.S. Small Business Administration. They employ 802,607 Alabamians, 46.7% of the state’s workforce.
Beyond retail shops, small businesses include restaurants and professional service providers.
“Every dollar spent at a local business helps create jobs, boost the economy and build stronger communities,” said Rosemary Elebash, the state director of the National Federation of Independent Businesses. “It’s estimated that 67 cents of every dollar spent at a small business stays in the community, generating an additional 50 cents in local business activity as businesses and workers shop locally.”
The Associated Press reported this year that an estimated 183.4 million people will shop in U.S. stores and online between Thanksgiving and Cyber Monday. About 131.7 million are expected to shop on Black Friday.
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