Event promotions such as Shop Small and Small Business Saturday are proving to be a major success in North America and the UK, and in Australia, small business owners and customers responded in record numbers to the American Express-backed Shop Small campaign in 2013.
Shop Small will run through November and Federal Government Ministers declared their support for small business at the launch of this year’s Shop Small, founded by American Express to assist small businesses across Australia.
The launch comes as new research reveals that while 99% of Australians recognise that small businesses are important, only half (55%) shop there more than once a week, causing 70% of small business owners to feel forgotten.
At the launch at Bondi on October 31, Minister for Small Business, Bruce Billson MP called for all Australians to turn their words into actions this November by showing small businesses just how much they value their contribution.
“Small business is the engine room of the Australian economy,” said Mr Billson. “Australia has approximately two million small businesses; hard working, passionate Australians who employ approximately five million people between them. Shop Small reminds Australians that if they value small businesses and want to continue to see them thrive, as a community we all need to show our support.”
Rachel Stocks, American Express Australia managing director, said the aim of Shop Small is to make November the biggest shopping month for small businesses.
“Running a small business isn’t easy, so we should do everything we can to show our support. We’re asking all Australians to get out and shop in small businesses this November – whether it’s their butcher, baker or local dress maker – every customer makes a difference,” she said.
For more information on the program and its benefits, look up: www.shopsmallaustralia.com.