Sweet Grind and AN Richard are among five Welsh businesses on the UK-wide list, launched by the Small Business Saturday campaign.
The campaign aims to highlight outstanding small businesses and encourage the public to support and purchase from independent businesses.
Sweet Grind offers freshly roasted coffee, barista training, and a mobile coffee cart for events.
AN Richards, based in Froncysyllte, is a vehicle sales and repair shop.
Abby West, CEO and founder of Sweet Grind, said: “Being named one of the nation’s favorite businesses this year means a lot to me, a 26-year-old Welsh woman building Sweet Grind from scratch.
“Small Business Saturday has already given us incredible opportunities, from press interviews to getting our coffee to over 100 new people, helping us reach customers we might never have found on our own.
“As a small business, building trust and getting your name out to new customers can be one of the hardest parts of growing, so having a platform that champions and celebrates small businesses means more than people think.
“I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to share our story, introduce Sweet Grind to new friends and hopefully encourage more people to choose, discover and support small businesses in Cymru and beyond.”
Johanna Cooke, director of AN Richards Ltd, said: “We are incredibly proud that AN Richards Ltd has been recognized as one of the country’s favorite businesses – it means a lot to our entire team and reflects the trust and support of our customers and community.
“The recognition comes at a particularly special time as we celebrate 50 years at our current site and three generations of keeping our family, our extended AN Richards family and our community at the center of everything we do.
“Small businesses play a vital role in creating local jobs, strengthening communities and sustaining the Welsh economy, and we are proud of the growth we have achieved while remaining committed to supporting other small businesses in our local area.”
Michelle Ovens CBE, director of Small Business Saturday UK, said: “Small businesses have always been, and will continue to be, among the country’s favorite businesses. Whether on our high streets, online or embedded in local communities, they play a vital role in the places we live and the strength of our economy.
“This year’s Nation’s Favorite Businesses are a true representation of the UK’s best-loved small businesses. From local independent and family-owned cafes and restaurants to manufacturers, services and traders, they showcase the incredible diversity of the UK’s small business community.
“We know how important small businesses are and the challenges they face, so as we kick off this year’s Small Business Saturday campaign, we’re urging the public to support them during the most critical business quarter of the year.”
Small Business Saturday, originally founded by American Express in the US in 2010 and its lead sponsor in the UK, is a non-commercial grassroots campaign encouraging people to shop at small, independent businesses.
It is the most successful small business campaign in the UK. Over the decade it has been running in the UK, it has engaged millions of people and seen billions of pounds spent in small businesses across the UK on Small Business Saturday, with an impact that lasts all year round.
Two listed businesses will receive £10,000 grants from American Express to support their development.
Small Business Saturday will take place on December 5, 2026, and each of the country’s favorite businesses will be showcased in the lead-up to the event.
The campaign highlights all types of small businesses, from shops and cafes to service providers such as accountants and tradespeople.
Many companies celebrate the day by hosting special events or offering promotions to thank their customers.
Last year, the campaign enjoyed extensive media coverage, as well as public support from the Royal Family, the Prime Minister and Chancellor, the Leader of the Opposition, the Mayor of London and over 90% of the country’s councils.