GUEST COLUMN, Rhea Landholm, Central for Rural Affairs
This holiday season, will you shop at one of the 33.2 million small businesses that make up 99 percent of all businesses in the U.S?
Up and down rural main streets in rural America, shopkeepers are readying their stores for the season. Business owners are stocking special gifts and rolls of wrapping paper to provide added value when you spend your money with a local retailer.
Independently owned businesses are what keep our rural communities thriving. They rely on our patronage during the crucial holiday season as well as year-round.
This year, more than ever, small businesses need our support. According to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Small Business Index, 79 percent of independent business owners say this upcoming holiday season is important for their overall profit this year, up from 70 percent last year.
When you shop local, you support your community by paying sales tax. You are also helping out a small business owner who in turn might sponsor a school activity or host a community event, showing just how important main street businesses are as part of our life in rural America.
Shopping local is good for consumers as well. During this holiday season, more than half of small businesses, 56 percent, say they are planning to offer seasonal discounts and 48 percent say they will extend regular business hours (up from 39 percent last year).
On average, shoppers plan to do 41 percent of their holiday shopping at small businesses, increased 5 percent from last year. I am one of these shoppers. Are you?
Small Business Saturday is on Nov. 29—a nationally recognized day to show your appreciation for local retailers. During this holiday season, and year round, #ShopSmall. Support your community, your friends, and your way of life.
When local businesses succeed, we all win.
