HORRY COUNTY, S.C. (WPDE) — Small Business Saturday marks 15 years after being created by American Express as a way to put locally owned small businesses in the spotlight.
According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, small business owners spent about $17 billion nationally last year.
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Maddie Hoyos is a stylist at Style Me Boutique. She said they had a 10% discount on the entire store and a buy one get one deal.
He said people were excited to do Christmas shopping while items were on sale.
“It was a little less than Black Friday, but it was still a good Saturday afternoon and everyone came out in a good mood,” Hoyos said.
Hoyos manager Cathleen Lenard said Saturday was slower than she had seen in previous years.
“A lot of people can’t afford to go out and spend the kind of money they normally do, so as a small business we’re trying to give back and do a little more special deals this year for people who are looking for that. really good business,” said Lenard.
The Small Business Administration said every dollar spent locally adds an additional 48 cents to local business activity as local merchants and their employees purchase local goods and services.
Studies show that small businesses contribute 250% more to community groups, schools and nonprofits than big box stores.
Angela Waldriff, manager of Centro Shoes, can attest to this.
He said shopping locally is very important to our community.
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“Keeping the businesses here, keeping the selection and supporting the people who are your friends, your family, who live in your community, is always the most important thing,” Waldriff said.
Waldriff said the business was very successful and estimates that about a hundred people came to shop on Saturday.
Overall, all stores said Black Friday was busier than Saturday, but overall they had two successful days of sales.