Small Business Saturday supports small retailers

Independent fashion businesses have had a tough start to the decade, but these retailers, along with other start up brands and small companies, were celebrated last weekend with Small Business Saturday. SBS is a new initiative to

celebrate entrepreneurs who take risks, set up shops and provide jobs in local communities.

The nationwide event, the first of its kind, aimed to convince the public of the benefits of supporting local shops and boutiques. It is based on a similar event started in America three years ago.

Encouraging shoppers to support small businesses

Small Business Saturday is a new about encouraging everyone in the UK to support small businesses, both on the day and beyond. It is a grass-roots campaign that encourages people to 'shop local' and support small businesses in their communities.

It is traditionally an American shopping holiday held on the Saturday after Thanksgiving, one of the busiest shopping days of the year. The initiative started in 2010, and has generated a lot of custom for small businesses.

In the US last year, Small Business Saturday achieved 5.5 billion dollars in sales to small businesses, and led to an increase in long-term custom.

In the UK, small businesses provide almost two thirds of private sector employment and almost half of private sector turnover.

Image: Shop Small