Make Thanksgiving About Supporting the People and Places Where You Live

Happy November and welcome to the world of shopping, crazy days, and seasonal activities. Today I'm going to share some of the articles I've been coming across which I feel are valuable to small business owners, covering topics such as assessing consumer trends to marketing for specific dates, because not only is there a lot of spending, there there is also the opportunity for you as an owner to participate in local events or activities held within your community.

   
Below you'll find some resources about prepping for the holidays, dates of importance and graphics you can download and share on your social media channels. Take advantage of your connections to not only remind your followers of the importance of choosing locally-owned retailers this season, but to thank them for their patronage of your small business.

• Holiday Sales and What Your Business Needs to Do Now 9 steps to prepare for the holiday season

• Five Ideas to Inspire Your Holiday Marketing Campaigns

• "Shop Local - Live Local" board on Pinterest

Plan ahead to ensure that you can shop at and support the Mom and Pop business owners in your community this Thanksgiving. Order a turkey or ham from a nearby farm, put in your request for pies and cakes at the corner bakery and check the hours for local shops to make sure you can pick up all the holiday meal items.


Black Thursday (or as I view it, the opportunity to boycott the stores which do open on what has always been considered a family holiday):

• Consumers plan to get started early on Christmas shopping: “The excitement of Thanksgiving Day store openings has now faded.....While choosing to close on the holiday will not be detrimental to those retailers, the retailers who open won’t see a significant boost this year either". Maybe I'm just old-fashioned? But I prefer to leave the day for people to still enjoy with their families. Article via Independent Retailer

• How the Mall of America Views Black Thursday and Friday: | The largest retail and entertainment destination in North America, is going one step further this year with regards to its employees. After much consideration mall management said it is treating Black Friday as a “seventh holiday” for employees that work directly for the mall and Nickelodeon Universe. Mall employees who are eligible and work on Friday, Nov. 24 will receive holiday pay.

SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY: One of the largest retail shopping dates is also a huge social event for consumers and business owners.

• Promote your retail shop and small business location: "What to Know About Small Business Saturday"

• Visit the American Express website for promo materials

• "5 Reasons You Should Participate in Small Business Saturday"

• Black Friday: Will you shop loco or shop local?

As you have probably noticed on our Facebook page, we LOVE events which celebrate and promote independent retailers across the country. Do you have an awesome local toy shop in your town or community? Visit Go Independent; Shop Small, Anywhere, USA on Facebook and tell us!

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