With so many big corporations around these days, it can be easy to forget there are many businesses out there providing the same service on a smaller scale and often offering a better-quality product.
That’s why American Express decided to encourage everyone to ‘Shop Small’ by creating Small Business Saturday in the US back in 2010, with Small Business Saturday in the UK starting two years later in 2012, making 2024 its 12th year.
What is Small Business Saturday UK?
Small Business Saturday UK, much like its US counterpart, was created to ensure smaller businesses aren’t forgotten, and encourages people around the country to go out and do their shopping locally.
This will, in turn, support them in their communities, whether it be in person, online, in offices or even in the stores themselves. That’s why many small businesses take this opportunity to attract more potential customers by discounting their products and by hosting special events.
When is Small Business Saturday 2024 in the UK?
While the aim of the campaign is to help small businesses long-term by showcasing their worth to the masses, the event itself takes place on the first Saturday in December every year.
This means that in 2024, Small Business Saturday in the UK will take place on December 7th.
Why is Small Business Saturday in the UK is so important
At First Mile, we deal with many smaller businesses who have a great vision for sustainability, both in their professional and personal lives, and who know how important they and their counterparts are for the community.
That’s why we’ve put together a list of 10 reasons explaining why shopping local and taking part in Small Business Saturday 2024 in the UK is beneficial for all.
We also spoke to some of our top recyclers to learn about how they are making a positive impact on the environment and the community.
1. Supports local communities and the economy
Shopping in your local small businesses injects more money into the local economy. Research by Visa discovered that shopping locally can double the amount of money retained in the local economy.
Not only that, but successful local businesses bring colour and variety to an area, attracting more tourists (think of Camden or Manchester) and boost the prices of nearby homes, with bookshops and cafes often hosting events that encourage a positive community feeling.
Local businesses also create revenue that supports council services, such as libraries, parks and roads.
This is exactly why ActOne Cinema ensure they shop locally, committing to fostering a robust local economy. Having already repurposed a 120-year-old building into a cinema and community space, they also recycle with First Mile and encourage the use of reusable coffee cups, all to minimise waste and contribute to a greener and cleaner London.
"Shopping locally whenever we can makes perfect sense for ActOne Cinema. Improving and strengthening our contacts with small local businesses and using their services wherever possible results in a stronger local economy.
"New small businesses will see the high street as a place to invest and existing small businesses will want to expand and thrive. In turn, that will bring increased footfall to the area, resulting in benefits for ourselves, fewer empty shops and, in time, a wider range of shops resulting in even greater footfall. A virtuous circle that benefits us all."
ActOne Cinema’s social media accounts: Instagram, X
2. Creates local jobs
Supporting local businesses creates jobs in your community, which in turn makes your area a better place to live and work in. These jobs provide opportunities for new, young entrepreneurs, designers and retailers.
This is one of the reasons why OakN4 believe in the power of local shopping to add economic growth, as it creates jobs and helps reduce environmental footprints. From reclaimed wood furniture to air-purifying paints, they embody sustainability in every aspect.
First Mile plays a key role in their journey by recycling food waste, cardboard, glass, and other mixed recyclables, providing valuable feedback on their sustainability efforts.
"We definitely believe it's important to shop locally at small businesses. Shopping locally supports the community by adding economic growth, creating jobs and maintaining unique, personalised services. It also results in a smaller environmental footprint due to reduced transportation and packaging."
OakN4 social media accounts: Instagram, X
3. Benefits the environment
If you choose to shop locally, you're making a positive environmental impact.
Because they tend to have localised supply chains and buy only what they need, local shops and other businesses have fewer food miles and usually have a smaller carbon footprint. When you buy from a local butchers or farm shop, that produce generally has a short ‘field-to-fork' journey. It's also likely to have less plastic packaging.
This is exactly what Wilton Way Deli’s owner explained to us when talking about choosing who he collaborates with: "As a small business owner, I choose my suppliers carefully. I want to support small independent producers with certain values, which do their part to reduce impact on the environment. I also provide human interaction and community spirit, very essential ingredients for our wellbeing.
"When I was a child, my mum would go to the local shops daily and buy just what was needed for our daily meals. Cost of living is crazy high, but are we buying too much with our online shopping, not realising what we spend and how much wastage we produce? Have we forgotten what we learned during the pandemic?"
Wilton Way Deli’s social media accounts: Instagram
4. You get great deals and personal service
Just like bigger stores, independent retailers offer reward schemes to regular customers. However, they'll often go the extra mile by ordering in items you want or recommending suitable products.
This is something Run and Become believe in, as they emphasised the importance of personal service and great deals you can get from shopping locally when we spoke to them: "By choosing to shop at small businesses in your local community, you have the opportunity to support eco-friendly practices while receiving personalised service."
Taking responsibility for recycling rubbish and used running shoes, they recognise the significance of sustainability in their business practices.
In fact, with the help of First Mile, they efficiently regulate their recycling collections efforts, contributing to a cleaner environment.
5. You’ll find originality and choice
Small and local businesses provide a range of unique products that aren't mass produced. If you want an original, quirky present, you're more likely to find it in an independent shop than a huge store.
Local shops also support local designers, artists and authors, as well as local food producers and growers, so you can buy products that are unique to the area.
That’s one of the reasons creative agency Nonsense supports companies based around them on a day-to-day basis, fostering collaborations and partnerships along the way to strengthen the community.
"We’ve been based in and around Hackney for a long time and supporting local businesses keeps the neighbourhood vibrant and creative. It also means we’re not spending our money on supporting long and expensive supply chains when there are so many incredible things being created right here in Hackney borough.
“We also support and partner with local businesses in our day to day running of Nonsense - from working with local production companies for shoots, to welcoming creative partners into our own studio space to collaborate."
Nonsense social media accounts: Instagram, X, LinkedIn
6. Enjoy the convenience
Popping down to your local shops is easy, and you're more likely to walk or cycle, which reduces air pollution and traffic congestion.
You may not even have to leave your house. Many farm shops offer veg-box schemes that will deliver organic, local produce straight to your home. And many local businesses now offer home delivery and click & collect.
Take The Bowl & Roll, for example. Sustainability is at the heart of their operations, ensuring they focus on eco-friendly packaging and locally sourced ingredients: "We believe it's crucial to support local businesses. Shopping locally not only fosters a sense of community but also contributes to the sustainability of the local economy. We value the unique character that local businesses bring to our community and the personalised service they offer."
The Bowl & Roll social media accounts: Instagram, X
7. A focus on quality, not quantity
Local businesses can't compete with larger chain stores in terms of quantity, but they don't need to. Their focus is on the high quality of the things they sell instead.
This is exactly what Sheep in Wolf’s Clothing Brewery offer, all the while helping others. Their aim is to have a brewery, taprooms and pubs that employ 50% of people who are currently underrepresented in the UK workforce.
Asked why they thought it was important for locals to shop at small businesses, they said: “The simple answer is: if you don't, we'll fail at our mission. Large companies do some good things, but let's face it, we would not have started if they were really doing what they should. They put revenue first, mission second.
Small businesses exist because we care. If you care, then you can still enjoy high-quality premium products. You just need to look out for the little business trying to make a difference.”
Sheep in Wolf’s Clothing Brewery social media accounts: Facebook, TikTok
8. Encourages British entrepreneurs
By supporting your local businesses, you're helping the next generation of young entrepreneurs.
Every one of these businesses started with an idea, which will have taken a lot of time to get off the ground. That’s why Chelsea from Fika Florals is intent on helping those around her.
She told First Mile: “Shopping at small and independent businesses has such an impact on both the high street community and the broader economy. With the decline of high streets and rising commercial rent, we're losing those smaller, more unique stores that have a thoughtful selection of stock rather than the same as every other generic chain. When you support a small business, you really are supporting someone else's dream.”
If Fika Florals no longer use First Mile’s services, please feel free to delete this highlighted text and their socials.
A great example of this comes as more people turn against fast fashion, which is allowing new creatives and innovators to set up affordable sustainable clothing brands (like these Black-owned small fashion brands).
Fika Florals social media accounts: Instagram, LinkedIn, Pinterest
9. Supports local charities
Many local business owners also donate to local charities, so by shopping local you're helping to increase donations to the non-profits in your community!
10. You can even discover sustainable shopping options in the run-up to Christmas
If you want to buy Christmas gifts that are better for the planet this year, choose to buy local. You'll also be minimising your carbon footprint and supporting your community.
And if you’re looking for inspiration on how to be more eco-friendly in the run up to the festive part of the year, we provide our 12 top tips for a sustainable Christmas.
How does First Mile support Small Business Saturday 2024 in the UK?
As a zero-to-landfill recycling company, First Mile helps small businesses save money, increase their recycling rates and lower their carbon footprint. We offer 24/7 support, pay-as-you-go ordering and free next-day sack delivery.
Find out the benefits of using our services or simply get a quote.
