The Ohio Council of Retail Merchants predicted last week this holiday season will be the best since 2007, with an estimated $70 million in sales across the region through the end of December. That represents about 19 percent of retailers’ total annual revenue.
Hamilton resident Jeff Boyle, a real estate agent who owns a small property management company, believes Small Business Saturday is a great idea.
He plans to shop at Art Off Symmes in Hamilton, which is participating in the promotion, as well as area stores or restaurants that are not.
“I feel that it’s important to do what I can to help support our local small businesses,” Boyle said. “Small businesses, I believe, drive our economy.
“Whether those businesses participate in it (Small Business Saturday) or not, I just kind of look at that as just supporting local small business is good enough.”
Boyle isn’t alone in that sentiment. According to the 2011 Small Business Saturday Consumer Spend Survey, 89 million people said they plan to shop small on Small Business Saturday.
Steve Pease, president of Pease Warehouse Outlet and Kitchen Showroom in Hamilton, spread the word of the business’ participation via newspaper advertisements, Facebook postings and a sign in the showroom, all of which he hopes will build foot traffic for Saturday.
“Part of our strategy is that we’re trying to build on our local clientele a little bit,” he said. “It’s a good, easy way to team up.”
Just by their advertising the promotion, American Express is helping draw people in the door, Pease said.
“We’re fighting the competition of Lowe’s Home Depot and Menard’s. Here, American Express has kind of recognized that there are other people out there besides those big three,” Pease said.
Mueller Music in Middletown is participating for the first time after hearing about the promotion from a number of different sources, including the National Federation of Independent Businesses, which is helping promote the day at
“Due to the fact that it’s tied in with the Saturday after Black Friday, we’ve got some very strong sales going on,” said Larry Fullenkamp, owner.
Mike Elam, the store’s manager, said the store is promoting the big day via email, as well signage designed by American Express.
“I think it’s a great idea, especially with the Occupy Wall Streeters and people like that turning against corporate America,” Elam said. “It’s best to send your money to local businesses and promote it and encourage it.”
Also participating again this year is Stefano’s Italian Café, which opens for dinner at 5 p.m.
“Anything that encourages people to spend their money locally is a good idea,” said Steve O’Neil, owner.
To participate in the event, American Express cardholders need to sign up for Small Business Saturday at the company’s Facebook page. Then, on Saturday, registered cardmembers that spend $25 or more at a qualifying small business will receive a $25 credit on their account.
Sherry Armstead of Art On Symmes in Fairfield and Art Off Symmes in Hamilton, participated in Small Business Saturday last year. She believes it will be even bigger this year and is offering specials in every department to as part of “Black Friday Week” sales.
“I think there’s more advertising and more awareness and I think that Facebook is really been the driving force for it,” she said. “I keep seeing people sharing it. Last year, businesses were aware of it but the public wasn’t.”
Area organizations and chambers of commerce are doing their part to promote Small Business Saturday.
“Small businesses are not only the backbone of the economy, they’re the backbone of our chamber,” said Kenny Craig, president and CEO of the Greater Hamilton Chamber of Commerce. “We have been encouraging everyone to support small businesses by shopping at a small business this Saturday. We’ve also been encouraging our small business members to promote this and encourage their customers to come in this day.”
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