By Michael P. Walsh
Special to the Voice
Mayor Nancy R. Rossi has announced the city’s participation in the 13th annual Small Business Saturday on Nov. 26.
Nov. 26 also marks the lighting of West Haven’s Christmas tree on the Green. The Yuletide event attracts hundreds of people each year, many of whom Rossi hopes take advantage of sales at downtown specialty shops.
Small Business Saturday falls between Black Friday and Cyber Monday. It is a day to support the small, independently owned businesses that help create jobs, boost the economy and keep communities thriving across the country.
“West Haven has a vibrant business community that I encourage everyone to support by shopping locally on Small Business Saturday,” Rossi said.
Small Business Saturday was established by American Express in 2010 in response to the most pressing need of small-business owners — more customers — and has served as the ceremonial kickoff to the holiday shopping season for the nation’s nearly 32 million independent businesses ever since.
According to AmEx, U.S. shoppers reported spending a record $23.3 billion at independent retailers and restaurants on Small Business Saturday in 2021.
Similar to last year, the Small Business Saturday Coalition, led by Women Impacting Public Policy, a nonpartisan small-business advocate known as WIPP, is rallying mayors nationwide to encourage local consumers to shop small on Nov. 26.
“It is more important than ever to shop local, as businesses recovering from the pandemic now face shipping delays and rising inflation,” Rossi said.
Merchants and consumers can learn more about Small Business Saturday, including how to participate, at https://www.americanexpress.com/us/small-business/shop-small/.