Record numbers hit local high streets for Small Business Saturday

A record number of attendees showed their support for the UK’s seventh annual Small Business Saturday last weekend (7 December 2019).

17.6m customers shopped on their local high streets to show support for the 5.8 million small and independent businesses across the UK.

It was estimated that £800m was spent by customers on the day, according to research commissioned by the founder of the event, American Express.

Boris Johnson, Jeremy Corbyn and other party leaders showed their support of the campaign ahead of last night’s General election by visiting small businesses on the day. 

Michelle Ovens, director of small business saturday said: “In its seventh year, Small Business Saturday has once again captured the hearts and minds of the nation, with record numbers turning out in support of Britain’s small businesses.

“With a net growth of 200,000 small businesses across the UK since 2018, there are more heroes than ever before to celebrate for the work they do in their communities and local economies.” 

She added: “This year we have been telling people to go out and find their local hero, and people have voted with their feet, with over four million more people choosing to shop small on Small Business Saturday than in 2018.

“It was also fantastic to see such widespread cross-party support for Small Business Saturday ahead of the General Election. 

“With 17 million people in the UK employed by small businesses, they impact and are impacted by every major policy area, and so it was important politicians joined the public in giving the sector a boost.”

Caroline Bouvet, vice president at American Express, said: “Small businesses play such a vital role in their local communities so we are delighted to see that record numbers have come out in support of them at this busy time of year.  

“We hope that our Shop Small campaign will encourage people to show their support for independents by shopping small all year round.”