Small Business Saturday Encourages Deal Seekers to Shop Local
By: April Hansen
Updated: November 25, 2012
OZARK, Mo. -- Black Friday may be over but shoppers with enough energy and money are opening their wallets at local shops.
Today was Small Business Saturday. It's a national shopping event encouraging shoppers to buy local and support small businesses in the community
We spoke with local shop owners in downtown Ozark that say they have seen a boost in sales.
Thanksgiving weekend is one of the busiest shopping weekends of the year. After the rush at big-box retail stores on Black Friday, small businesses can now get in on the holiday spending and shoppers say they enjoy the personal shopping experience local businesses offer.
Shoppers are still swiping their credit cards and emptying their wallets this weekend.
"We keep spending more and more in each store," said shopper Lynette Panique.
The Thanksgiving holiday is one of the busiest shopping weekends of the year and after yesterday's door busters at large retail stores.
Shoppers today are keeping their money close to home.
"There's a much more personal touch," said Panique.
Lynette Panique was shopping in downtown Ozark today buying Christmas gifts for her family and says she always tries to by local to support the community and enjoys the unique products and shopping experience small shops offer.
"It seems like with the local businesses that they have hard to find and little more rare personalized gifts rather than just your big corporate toys or gifts you can find anywhere," said Panique.
Last year more than one million shoppers turned out for the local sales.
American Express launched its Small Business Saturday campaign in 2010 to add a day between the big after Thanksgiving sales and the Cyber Monday business to dedicate a day for local business.
"It's much friendlier. The clerks know what their merchandise is. In the big stores they don't very much. And they know us, which is fun," said shopper Barbara McConnell.
Shop owners in Ozark say they appreciate their loyal customers and go the extra mile to make it a one of a kind shopping experience.
Just like their product.
"We want everyone to know we appreciate their business," said shop owner, Valerie Archer.
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