By Robert Hudson

The Selma Times-Journal

 

With Black Friday set to kick off the annual holiday shopping season, businesses and public officials around the country are encouraging shoppers to think small.

Saturday will mark the second annual Small Business Saturday, which is aimed at supporting small businesses on one of the busiest shopping weekends of the year.

“That’s going to be on Nov. 26 and … it’s promoted to encourage the community to support local stores and local retailers,” said Sheryl Smedley, executive director of the Selma-Dallas County Chamber of Commerce.

“It was started by American Express to promote local vendor shopping and it’s taking place all over the country.”

Businesses such as FedEx, Google, Facebook and ClearChannel, and cities such as Atlanta, Nashville, New York and Chicago have pledged their support for the day that encourages shoppers to shop at small businesses and local stores in an effort to help boost the economy.

Smedley said Selma residents can also see which local businesses are showing their support by visiting smallbusinesssaturday.com

“If you enter the zip code 36701, you can see all the businesses that are pledging and supporting this event,” Smedley said.

Smedley said it is important for the residents of Dallas County to shop locally because any money spent locally not only helps out the community, but also is good for the local economy.

“We’re asking that they spend their Christmas shopping dollars at home because shopping locally benefits the local economy,” Smedley said.

“The key is that local merchants keep the economy going.”

The Small Business Saturday website also provides small businesses with tools to help promote the day, raise awareness and attract new customers, such as in-store signage, E-marketing materials and online ads.

For more information on Small Business Saturday, visit smallbusinesssaturday.com.