Spend on Small Business Saturday (December 5) hit £1.1bn this year, exceeding the billion £pound mark for the first time ever, as shoppers showed support for their local high streets. Independent gift retailers were among those confirming that customers were out in force at the weekend.
The campaign was supported by political figures across the country including Boris Johnson, Rishi Sunak, Keir Starmer, Nicola Sturgeon and other members of parliament who visited small businesses to support the campaign in person or virtually.
“It was fantastic to see such phenomenal, record-breaking support for small businessesin one of the toughest years many have ever experienced,” commented Michelle Ovens MBE, director of Small Business Saturday. “Small Business Saturday has been running for eight years, but this year’s campaign has been our most vital. We are delighted that it’s generated such a massive boost for small businesses at a time when they are facing huge challenges with the ongoing effects of the pandemic.”
Michelle continued: “I have no doubt that this strong support for small businesses has been driven by recognition of the critical role they played in our communities during lockdown. So many firms worked hard to pivot and adapt their businesses during this national emergency, often stepping in to offer useful services, vital products, as well as being a source of practical support and kindness, particularly for the NHS and frontline workers.
“While there is light at the end of the tunnel for 2021, this winter is still going to be tough for many small businesses and it’s so important that we all continue to support them. This year Small Business Saturday was not just about one day, but all of the small actions that individuals can do across the winter to add up to one big impact.”
The campaign saw 15.4m people hitting the high street and shopping small, according to research commissioned by founder, (and principal supporter), American Express. This represented a 2.2m decline in footfall compared to last year, but the average spend per person rose from £45.42 in 2019 to £70.74 in 2020, a 56% increase.
Shoppers who took to the high street demonstrated a real sense of community spirit, with 48% stating that they chose to spend money with small businesses as they wanted to support them as much as possible after a tough year.
Small Business Saturday also drew high engagement on social media, with #SmallBusinessSaturday the UK’s top Twitter trend during the day.
Over 250 small business organisations supported the initiative, including the CBI, British Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise Nation and Be the Business.
Top: Small Business Saturday hit £1.1bn last weekend.
