Local Retailers Need Our Holiday Shopping Participation.

With a completely different holiday shopping period this year make sure you check out the small, local independent businesses along with the large retail chains and online retailers.

Small Business Saturday – the day after Black Friday – is a perfect time to stop in and support your local independent business retailers. Better Business Bureau is pleased to support Small Business Saturday. Particularly, this holiday shopping season.

Community participation in Small Business Saturday could very well mean the difference in many Alabama small retail businesses being able to continue operating into 2021. We encourage Alabamians to support our small businesses this holiday shopping season in an effort to help preserve our local retail marketplace viability and competitiveness.

With COVID-19 continuing to impact consumers’ shopping trends, BBB encourages Alabamians to safely support our local small businesses however they can.

BBB offers the following tips to "Shop Small” on Small Business Saturday and throughout the entire Holiday season:

· Get involved. Many communities are hosting special events to celebrate and support the businesses that make your hometown unique. Find out what local events are happening in your area on the Small Business Saturday website, or visit your local chamber of commerce or merchants’ association.

· Take advantage of local retailers’ online stores. Many local retailers have online stores where you can still support local businesses while not exposing yourself to potential crowds. If you’re concerned about shipping issues, call the business and see if you can arrange a curbside pickup of your purchase.

- Sign-up for email alerts. Save a few dollars on your holiday budget by signing up for email specials offered by the merchants in your area. Keep in mind, you will probably get additional deals throughout the year, not just during the holidays.

· Research the shops nearest to you. Find out what past customers have to say by reading reviews online, such as those on BBB.org, and learn what shops are participating by going to ShopSmall.org.

· Connect with businesses on social media. Many small businesses will advertise their sales via social media. Use #ShopSmall to search for information and share activities.

· Shop and be Socially Responsible. Wear a mask, socially distance and keep hand sanitizer with you. Visit favorite local stores or explore a new one. Take time to get to know the business owners.

· Share your experience. Take a selfie at your favorite small business. Share it on social media with the hashtags #BBB and #ShopSmall to tell the world you’re a big fan of small businesses. Leave a review on BBB.org. Remember, these shops are open all year as well!

· Don’t just shop small, eat small! Many people think that shopping at local retail stores is the only way to participate. However, small independently owned restaurants, bakeries, and coffee shops would love to invite in new customers while they’re out and about. For more holiday tips, visit the BBB Holiday Tips page.