Local businesses gear up for Black Friday and Small Business Saturday
TROY, N.Y. >> As cooks around the country are brining, stuffing and roasting their Thanksgiving turkeys in preparation for Thursday’s big meal, the shoppers among the family are gearing up for two other holidays: Black Friday and Small Business Saturday.
More than 164 million consumers plan to shop over the five-day Thanksgiving weekend, according to an annual survey released by the National Retail Federation and Prosper Insights & Analytics.
“Whether it’s heading to the stores after finishing their turkey or going online on Cyber Monday, consumers will be shopping all weekend and retailers will be ready to meet the demand,” NRF president and CEO Matthew Shay said in the study’s release.
The survey found that of those planning to shop during the long holiday weekend 21 percent (34 million) plan to shop on Thanksgiving Day, but Black Friday will remain the busiest day with 71 percent (116 million) planning to shop.
A total of 41 percent (67 million) is expected to shop on Small Business Saturday, and 78 percent of those say they will do so specifically to support small businesses. On Sunday, 20 percent (32 million) is expected to shop, before the shopping weekend wraps up on Cyber Monday when 46 percent (75 million) anticipate taking advantage of online bargains.
Holiday spending is predicted to total at about $720 billion, the NRF said, with each consumer spending an average of $1,007.24 throughout this holiday season, up 4.1 percent from the $967.13 they said they would spend last year.
“Confidence is near an all-time high, unemployment is the lowest we’ve seen in decades and take-home wages are up,” Shay said in a press release. “All of that is reflected in consumers’ buying plans.”
A portion of this grand spending total will be exchanged within the Capital Region economy, including the Collar City community.
“This is the season where Troy shines,” said Katie Hammon, ex- ecutive director of the Downtown Troy Business Improvement District, “with over 120 unique boutiques, bars, and restaurants, Troy is a destination for all your holiday shopping needs and the perfect setting to celebrate the holiday season.”
Troy is an especially festive backdrop, because the writer of the song “Jingle Bells,” James Pierpoint, lived for some time in Troy, and some think he may have actually written the song while residing there.
The BID has several upcoming events focused on holiday shopping in downtown Troy, including a “Ringing of the Bells” ceremony and press conference on Wednesday to ring in the holiday season while celebrating the history and unique small businesses of downtown Troy.
The Troy- based Rensselaer County Regional Chamber of Commerce is particularly a proponent of Small Business Saturday, a relatively new tradition started in 2010.
“Small business is the backbone of our economy,” president Kate Manley said. “Not only are you supporting your neighbors, but you are also helping keep the economy vibrant by keeping
the dollars spent locally. On behalf of all our Chamber members, we thank you and encourage you to shop local on Small Business Saturday and more importantly every day!”
Another factor in the shop small movement is the shopkeepers, who have been busy preparing for the holiday rush.
River Street retailers agree that of the two days, Small Business Saturday takes the cake.
“Black Friday is a better than average Friday, but not a big day for small retail stores,” said Debra Lockrow of Artcentric. “Small Business Saturday is a monster.”
A very welcome monster, that is. “The most wonderful thing is not the money, which is great. It is the community,” Lockrow continued, “the bonding of customer and business owner created when you can both be part of a business neigh- borhood. Personal attention not always available in a big retail stores.”
Artcentric is also incorporating some charitable giving into this upcoming Small Business Saturday 2018 by donating 10 percent of profits to the Troy Boys and Girls Club.
In celebrating its six anniversary, T and J Soaps is offering giveaways throughout the morning on Small Business Saturday, which owner Theresa Van Duyne shared is now tied as her busiest day of the year along with the annual Victorian Stroll event in downtown Troy. “Black Friday is just like a really good Friday number-wise, but nothing in comparison to Small Business Saturday,” she said.
Shops like Mindful intentions and Hippies, Witches & Gypsies, which is spending its first holiday season in its new Second Street location, will host some special promotions and events this Friday and Saturday. Each will be inviting fellow small business Sat Nam babe, a children’s yoga-inspired clothing company, for pop-up events at Mindful Intentions on Black Friday and Hippies, Witches & Gypsies on Small Business Saturday.
Mindful Intentions also plans on hosting what every shopper loves - sales. All Mindful Intentions products will be 15 percent off on Friday and the store’s slogan “Stay Mindful” tee shirts will be just $10 each on Saturday.
Hippies, Witches & Gypsies is extending the shopping festivities and thanking her loyal customers with a first-ever, invite-only Customer Appreciation Day on Sunday.
While spending money and supporting local businesses will surely take place this weekend, there’s one other important factor - spreading holiday cheer. Hippies, Witches & Gypsies owner and operator Judy Squires Gleason said, “Happy Holidays to all small businesses in the downtown area and customers alike.”