Small Business Saturday ‘crucial day yet’
Today’s Small Business Saturday has been described as the “most crucial ever” as business owners up and down Scotland tackle soaring energy bills, a consumer spending squeeze and the onset of recession.
As the campaign gears up to celebrate ten years in the UK, new data has revealed just how toughthecurrenteconomicclimate is proving for small businesses. According to research from the campaign’s main supporter, American Express, 66 per cent of the UK’S small businesses see rising costs as the biggest challenge to running their business over the next six months, with 61 per cent citing the rising cost of energy and half pointing to economic uncertainty. Some 69 per cent are continuing to diversify their business to respond to the current crisis, after 72 per cent did sointheimmediatewakeofthe pandemic.
Michelle Ovens, director of Small Business Saturday UK, said: “Small businesses are the life and soul of our economy, society, and communities. But with everything they have been through, many are now really findingthingstoughaseconomic conditions worsen.”
On Small Business Saturday, consumers across the UK go out and support all types of small businesses, both online andinbricks-and-mortarstores – from independent shops and restaurantstosmallserviceand business-to-business outfits such as accountants and digital marketeers. Many small businessescelebratethedaybyhostingevents,offeringpromotions and collaborating with other small businesses.
Laura Paterson, owner of Glasgow-based small candle and gift maker Earth, Mother & Soul, said: “It’s really important that we celebrate small businesses and shop locally.”