Second Small Business Saturday hailed a success

Small Business Saturday, which took place across the UK on December 6, has been hailed a huge success after sales increased by 36 million pounds on last year, totalling 504 million pound, according to research commissioned by American Express who supported the event.

The annual initiative, which originated in the US launched by American Express five years ago to encourage consumers to support small shops and businesses in their community, saw a turnout of around 16.5 million shoppers, representing a 20 percent increase in footfall on the previous year.

According to American Express, those visiting independent shops or small businesses spent an average of 30.56 pounds per person, while a third of shoppers said they had spent at least 25 percent more than they would on a typical Saturday, and 51 percent stated that they had shopped at a local, independently owned business on December 6.

The survey polled 2,473 UK adults in the immediate 24 hours following Small Business Saturday and found that as well as footfall and sales being up that almost two-thirds (64%) said they were aware of the day, an increase of 33 percent from 2013.

The campaign was widely promoted via social media and the day itself was trending at number one on Twitter throughout the day, with more than 100,000 tweets sent in support of the event, and Twitter recorded more than 53,000 tweets mentioning the official hashtag #SmallBizSatUK.

Small Business Saturday boosts local spending and footfall

Michelle Ovens, campaign director of Small Business Saturday, said: “Small Business Saturday this year has been a fantastic demonstration of collaboration in communities across the UK, with local authorities, small business, trade organisations, big business and consumers really pulling together.

“Small Business Saturday is now a regular event that shines a light on small businesses throughout the UK in a way that is hugely beneficial to both the local and the national economy. Small Business Saturday will continue to showcase the level of diversity, innovation and talent that is active within our small business sector.”

Rafa Marquez, UK Managing Director at American Express, added: “It’s fantastic to see that so many people got behind their local independent traders this year by shopping small on the big day. Small Business Saturday celebrates the vital contribution independent businesses make to our local communities and the growth of our national economy. We are confident it will encourage people to continue their support throughout the rest of the festive season and beyond.”

The campaign in the UK saw thousands of small businesses participating, with many of them running special discounts and offers to encourage consumer spending on the day. As well as American Express, the initiative was also supported by 55 percent of all UK local authorities, with 60 cities and towns increasing footfall on the day by offering free parking. The scheme was also backed by the main political parties, the Federation of Small Businesses, O2, Barclays, and Notonthehighstreet, as well as high profile names including Karren Brady, Martha Lane-Fox, Theo Paphitis and model Daisy Lowe who was seen modelling in a shop window of a small independent clothing store on the day.