Small Business Saturday

What Is Small Business Saturday?

American Express started Small Business Saturday in 2010 out of the Shop Small Movement, where shoppers, small businesses, and civic leaders came together to support small businesses and help their communities prosper. The U.S. Small Business Administration’s Office of Advocacy states that small businesses make up more than 99% of companies in the U.S. and employ over 47% of U.S. workers.

Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, and Cyber Monday occur back to back, making it more critical than ever to have your holiday business shipping plan ready. According to an American Express study, small businesses are integral to local communities. They are responsible for $4.8 trillion in GDP, equivalent to the world’s third-largest economy.

The study also pointed out that $0.67, or about two-thirds of every dollar spent at small businesses in the U.S., stay in the local community. Additionally, the study found that for every dollar spent at small businesses, an additional 50 cents is created in local business activity because of employee spending and local businesses purchasing goods and services.

Supporting Small Businesses

Small businesses make a significant impact, and supporting small businesses means you are part of their impact on the community. From retail locations to eCommerce, you can help small businesses in many ways.

One of the best places to support small businesses this holiday shopping season is on Etsy. By shopping on Etsy this year, not only will you be supporting small businesses, but you’ll also be buying one-of-a-kind pieces that no one else will be gifting.

If you own a small business, consider helping other small businesses in your community by partnering with them or purchasing their goods or services. Perhaps your business could also benefit another business. Building strong small business partnerships can help strengthen the businesses, bring in new customers, and increase your business and brand awareness. It’s a win, win, win.

Small Business Saturday Shipping

This year is predicted to be a busy one for holiday shopping, which means it will also be a busy shipping season. Prepare early and ask yourself these questions to help narrow down your possible shipping needs:

Do I have enough shipping and packaging supplies on hand?

From crates, pallets, and cardboard boxes to packaging tape, internal packing materials, and more, you want to have your packaging shelves fully stocked.

What types of items am I shipping?

Consider what kinds of things you’re sending. Any cargo that weighs more than 150 pounds is considered freight shipping (not parcel shipping). Most small business shippers can utilize less-than-truckload (LTL) shipping option, similar to a ride share for freight. Your cargo will share trailer space with other shippers’ items. This helps reduce shipping costs.

Am I shipping substantial, oversized, or overlength items?

In truckload shipping, your cargo requires full use of the trailer and is especially useful for small business shippers who are fulfilling huge orders to a single destination. You may need to consider full-truckload (TL) shipping for very large or overlength items.

Does my cargo require special equipment or handling?

Some cargo is more fragile or requires special shipping and handling. In this case, it’s essential to consider particular shipping accessorials or add-ons. Some accessorials, such as lift gate services, may be required, while others may be optional. For example, for the cream of the crop in shipping and handling, you may want to choose white glove services, where your item receives the highest level of service. This option is excellent for furniture, antiques, or other valuable items.