Small Business Saturday hailed a success

News and Info from Deeside, Flintshire, North Wales

This article is old - Published: Thursday, Dec 12th, 2013

Inspired by the hugely successful US initiative, the UK’s first Small Business Saturday took place on 7 December and encouraged people to back small businesses both on and offline.

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According to an American Express survey of 2,533 adults undertaken in the 24 hours following Small Business Saturday, 48% were aware of the day.

Of those, 57% shopped at a local, independently owned business on 7 December, with 43% choosing to do so specifically because of Small Business Saturday.

Local MP Mark Tami MP and Carl Sargeant AM, were out in Queensferry to meet with local business owners and celebrate Small Business Saturday.

Mark Tami MP said:

“I was very pleased to meet with business owners in the local area and discuss some of the difficulties that they face. Small businesses are integral to our local economy and I would encourage people to support small businesses in the area.”

Those consumers who knew about the day and shopped locally spent between £1 and £2000 on the day, an average of £33 per person which equates to a total of £465m across the UK as a whole.

Carl Sargeant AM said:

“Last month, I asked people to consider buying at least one Christmas gift from a local, independent retailer and this is the perfect time to do it. There are dozens of fantastic options in Deeside and it’s a great way to help the Flintshire economy stay on its feet.”

45% of those aware of the day who shopped with a small business said they spent more than usual, with nearly one in five claiming they had spent at least 50% more than they would usually on a typical Saturday.

Federation of Small Businesses North Wales Development Manager Mike Learmond said:

“It was good to see our local AM and MP showing their support for this first Small Business Saturday, we had a very good response in Queensferry and we hope to build on this success in the years to come.”