Global brands such as American Express and Virgin have launched campaigns this week to help small businesses get back on track this Christmas.
Today marks the eighth Small Business Saturday UK, a grassroots, non-commercial campaign, which celebrates small business success and encourages consumers to ‘shop local’ and support businesses in their communities.
As lockdown restrictions have now lifted to various extents across the country, allowing many shops to reopen, the campaign is urging the British public to shop small this Christmas.
A third of SMEs are relying on Christmas spending to survive according to new research
The SME economy has suffered horrendously this year as the coronavirus pandemic closed doors, in some cases spelling the end for businesses.
This winter small businesses need the public’s help more than ever, with new research revealing a third of UK SMEs are relying on Christmas spending in order to survive.
The research, by Nucleus Commercial Finance, also found that one in five SMEs is anticipating a challenging Christmas trading period – comprising of 18 per cent who think their businesses will suffer over the season, and 2 per cent who believe they will have to close.
The Small Business Saturday campaign – which takes place on the first Saturday of December every year – is well timed, coming just three days after the English national lockdown lifted.
It also hopes to tap into soaring public affection for small businesses, as its own research found 59 per cent of Brits support small businesses more than previously, following the major role firms played in communities during coronavirus lockdowns.
Michelle Ovens, director of Small Business Saturday UK, said: ‘Small Business Saturday is not just one event, but millions of actions, taken by all of us, that add up to one big impact to boost small businesses at this difficult time.
‘More than ever, it is a key moment to shine a spotlight on small businesses and the important contribution they make to our nation.
‘This year, we are encouraging people to show their support not just on Small Business Saturday itself but in the coming weeks, months and beyond, in all the different ways they can safely.’
Janet Edwards owns Janet Edwards Florist in London and is part of the Shop Small campaign
Big brands supporting small
Alongside Small Business Saturday’s campaign, some companies are going the extra mile with campaigns and financial incentives of their own.
American Express is offering card members a £5 statement credit for every £10 or more they spend in a participating small business between 5 and 20 December.
The offer is valid for use up to 10 times, once per participating location, meaning shoppers can earn a total of £50 in statement credits.
Amex holders must enrol to take part in the offer, and can do this via the Amex mobile app. You can check which stores are taking part via the Shop Small Map.
Meanwhile, Virgin Group has launched a Christmas gift guide featuring 22 start-up businesses that went through its dedicated programme, Virgin StartUp.
It will allow the public to purchase items from a number of startups across different industries while putting them and their products and brands into the spotlight.
Virgin StartUp – founded by Richard Branson in 2013 – is promoting some of its members this Christmas to help give them a boost
Furthermore, the company’s rewards club, Virgin Red, will allow members to purchase items using their Virgin points.
The campaign, founded by Sir Richard Branson in 2013 and designed to support the next generation of business founders, will be promoting these businesses in its online guide.
Public set to shop small
Recognising the essential role they continue to play among local communities during the Covid-19 pandemic, Brits plan to spend £6.2billion shopping small in December, according to a survey by American Express and Opinium.
Seven in ten say they will visit local shops and businesses this month, from butchers and greengrocers to hairdressers, florists and cafes, with an average spend of £169.
Non-essential businesses have been missed most during lockdown, with 34 per cent of those surveyed most excited to visit restaurants and 31 per cent desperate to be back at cafes.
Dan Edelman, of American Express, said: ‘2020 has been hard for everyone but the resilience and creativity of small businesses in the face of the most trying of circumstances continues to be nothing short of incredible.
We hope people will continue to show their support for their local independents by shopping small, not just this December but all year round.
Dan Edelman, American Express
‘It’s great to see that Brits recognise the important contribution local small businesses make and want to show their support, rewarding them with a much-needed boost to spending before the end of the year.
‘As principal supporter of Small Business Saturday, we hope that people will continue to show their support for their local independents by shopping small, not just this December but all year round.’
Small business minister Paul Scully added: ‘Now more than ever it is vital that people get behind their local businesses, whether by popping in to get Christmas presents, ordering essentials online, or getting a takeaway from their favourite cafe or restaurant.
‘Small businesses are the beating heart of our local communities, and this year we want Small Business Saturday to give them the boost they need to carry them into the New Year, as we look to build back better from Coronavirus.’
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