Over £700m generated this Small Business Saturday

The event that encourages consumers to 'shop small' generated 15% more cash for SMEs than last year.

Small Business Saturday returned to the UK for the fourth year, promoting small businesses and encouraging consumers to shop locally.

According to a survey by the campaign sponsors, American Express, an estimated £717 million was spent with small businesses across the UK. Over half of those aware of the day said they spent more than usual.

While there were many markets and in-store offers during the day - with 80% of local authorities lending support through actions such as free parking - online sales also saw a significant uplift.

Over 130,000 tweets were sent on the day itself reaching more than 120 million people, with Small Business Saturday UK trending at number one in the UK and at number 5 globally.

Michelle Ovens MBE, campaign director of Small Business Saturday says, ‘In its fourth year, Small Business Saturday has once again delivered a sustained increase in spending with Britain's small independent businesses.

‘To see the spend on Small Business Saturday reach £249 million more this year than on the first Saturday in 2013, an increase of 53 per cent, is fantastic and confirms the positive stories we are hearing from small businesses in communities across the UK.'

Alice Noone, vice president marketing at American Express says, ‘Small Business Saturday celebrates the vital contribution independent businesses make to our communities and we're delighted that shoppers rewarded them with such significant spend on the day.

‘We are immensely proud to be principal supporter of the campaign for the fourth year and hope it inspires people to shop small, not just on Small Business Saturday, but throughout the rest of the year.'

Useful links

• Find a shop
  
• Best Small Shops competition
  
• Jobs board
  

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