Small Business Saturday UK is a not-for-profit, grassroots campaign, which exists to support, inspire and promote small business, on the first Saturday in December each year, and beyond. The campaign encourages businesses to promote themselves and work with other small businesses, and consumers to ‘shop local’ and support small businesses in their communities. The first Small Business Saturday UK took place on the 7th December 2013, 6th December 2014, and 5th December 2015. This year, it will be on 3rd December 2016.
In 2014, research after the day suggested that 64% of consumers were aware of the day and spent in the region of £504m at small businesses.
The Small Business Saturday UK initiative has attracted the support of leading business organisations including the Federation of Small Businesses, Association of City and Town Management, Association of Convenience Stores and Northern Ireland Independent Retail Trade Association. It has received wide support from all political parties and a number of large corporations.
American Express founded the successful Small Business Saturday initiative in the U.S. in 2010 and is a principal supporter of Small Business Saturday UK.