Small Business Saturday drives major support for local shops across Georgia

Customers across the state participated in Small Business Saturday, a day that has brought more than $200 billion for local businesses since it started in 2010. 

Andrea Worthy, the economic development director for the city of Smyrna, told WABE that “Shop Smyrna Saturday” is an effort to promote local businesses.

“We think it’s a perfect way for folks, employers to buy in bulk, maybe to say thank you to your employees at Christmas time, and you know, still be able to promote the local area,” said Worthy.

Small business owners expect to receive 20% of their annual sales on Small Business Saturday alone, according to Fox Business.

Asia Roberts, the assistant manager at Hop, Skip & Jump Children’s Boutique in Macon, told 13WMAZ that spending money at local shops benefits the entire community.

“When you spend here, every dollar goes back into the community,” Roberts said. “When you go to big retailers, it goes all over.”

Small business owners prepare for the day several months in advance, buying inventory and deciding how to market their best deals.

Val Barnett owns Emmerse, a candle and soap store, told WABE that she was running a huge sale for Black Friday and Cyber Monday.

“We chose to go with 35% just because we know how difficult things are with the economy this year, and we wanted to really show our customers appreciation,” said Barnett.