A wide-ranging group of local businesses and United Way of Northern New Mexico are coordinating an effort to promote and support Small Business Saturday on Nov 29.
Dozens of local retailers, restaurants, service providers, home-based businesses and non-profits in Los Alamos and White Rock plan to offer specials and in-store events to help celebrate the national initiative designed to support small businesses during the holiday season.
“At CB Fox, Small Business Saturday is our most important shopping day of the year. I hope when shoppers choose to shop in Los Alamos, they feel a gratifying sense of community and friendship – not to mention the convenience. This year we are creating many discounts to make them feel rewarded as well,” said Andy Fox, President of CB Fox.
Shopping locally in Los Alamos provides a more convenient and personal experience. It also supports local economy and builds a tight-knit community. Uniquely in Los Alamos, participating businesses are encouraged to give a portion of the day’s sales to local nonprofits. CB Fox, for example, is donating 5% of its profits to the United Way of Northern New Mexico. Pet Pangaea will again give 10% of gross sales to Friends of the Shelter.
This year, the Los Alamos Chamber of Commerce will distribute Small Business Saturday Passports to local merchants for shoppers to pickup and use as a guide to find other participating businesses. Shoppers will have from Nov 29 until the end of Winterfest on Dec 7 to gather as many passport stamps as possible. The passports can then be turned in at any participating merchant by Sunday, Dec 7 to enter a drawing for a chance to win a gift card package from local stores.
Also, this year, several home-based business are banding together to create a pop-up retail space at 150 Central Park Square. These businesses will share this space so they can spend face-to-face time with shoppers and showcase their unique products and services.
Shoppers looking for a little gift-giving guidance this year will enjoy the Spirit of Giving insert in the Los Alamos Monitor. The Small Business Saturday organizing group will provide shopping lists, gift ideas, and tips to making gift giving easier. The insert will land on doorsteps Thanksgiving Day.
The Los Alamos Daily Post will publish a series of highlight and feature stories about the participating businesses. This series will allow shoppers to get better acquainted with our valued local merchants.
The public is invited to learn more about Small Business Saturday in Los Alamos by visiting the website smallbizsatla.com and joining the Facebook event: Los Alamos Small Business Saturday.
Businesses interested in joining the effort are welcome to signup by contacting Nancy Partridge of the Los Alamos Chamber of Commerce at 661-4816, Kristy Ortega of United Way of Northern New Mexico at 663-3891, or Cyndi Wells at 661-1010.
Merchants that accept American Express are eligible to receive additional free promotional materials and benefits when they participate in Small Business Saturday.
American Express founded Small Business Saturday to help businesses with their most pressing need – getting more customers. The day encourages people to shop at small businesses on the Saturday after Thanksgiving.
Last year, $5.7 billion was spent on Small Business Saturday, and seven of 10 consumers surveyed said they were aware of the day, according to American Express.
Shoppers with a registered American Express card can receive a $10 statement credit from American Express after they spend more than $10 on a single, in-store transaction at any qualifying merchant on Small Business Saturday. They can take advantage of this offer up to three times.
To register your eligible American Express Card, complete the registration form via ShopSmall.com. Or log in to your account at americanexpress.com and clicking on the ‘Amex Offers’ tab or ‘Small Business Saturday’ offer tile in ‘Amex Offers & Benefits’.