It’s no secret that we love our pets, especially here at Braxton's. In fact, a 2019-2020 American Pet Products Association Survey found that 68% of U.S. households own a pet, which equates to about 84.9 million homes. With so many pet lovers out there, it’s no wonder that the pet industry has seen a boom in recent years. In 2020, the pet industry was worth an estimated $99 billion and is only expected to grow in the coming years.
But as the pet industry continues to grow, so does the number of businesses competing for a slice of the pie. Independent pet stores, in particular, have to work hard to stand out from the crowd. That’s why Small Business Saturday is so important for small, independently-owned businesses like ours.
What is Small Business Saturday?
Small Business Saturday is a nationwide event that takes place on the Saturday after Thanksgiving each year. The event was created by American Express in 2010 as a way to support small businesses and encourage people to shop local during the holiday season.
Small Business Saturday has generates increased sales. In 2021, American Express reported that Small Business Saturday reached an all-time high with an estimated $23.3 billion in U.S. consumer spending. From 2010 to 2019, American Express reported that approximately $120 billion has been spent.
How Does Small Business Saturday Affect Local Pet Stores?
The goal of Small Business Saturday is to get people out supporting their local businesses, and this includes independent pet stores! On Small Business Saturday, we see an uptick in foot traffic and sales as people come out specifically to support small businesses like ours.
Small Business Saturday also helps raise awareness for local businesses like ours that might be overshadowed by big box stores or online retailers. When people are reminded that their favorite local businesses need their support, they are more likely to shop with us throughout the year—not just on one day out of the year.
How Braxton's Supports Small Businesses
We love supporting other Small Businesses at Braxton's! Anything on our shelves has been carefully considered for quality and the benefits it can provide to our customers, and most of those products are produced by Small Businesses! Food brands like: Annamaet Pet Food, Fromm Family Pet Food, and Answers Pet Food. Pet treats like: Icelandic+, The Natural Dog Company, Wild Meadow Farms Gibsons Treats, Michael J. Fashions Venison Jerky, and many more. Outside of products, we have a wall of support from amazing small business owners in our local area. You can find the best dog walkers, sitters, trainers, photographers, and rescues on our resource wall.
There is no shortage of small businesses within other small business retailers, and Braxton's is no different. We like to put our money where our snout is!
What Can You Do to Support Your Local Pet Store on Small Business Saturday (and Beyond)?
The best way you can support your local pet store is by actually shopping with us! Come in on November 26th (or any day!) and pick up your pet’s food, toys, supplies, etc. from us instead of ordering from an online retailer or going to a big box store.
If you can't visit us this Saturday, there are other ways you can support us and other small businesses without spending a dime. You can also help spread the word about Small Business Saturday (and our store!) by sharing our posts leading up to the event and telling your friends and family about us. Word-of-mouth marketing is still one of the most powerful marketing tools available—so don’t underestimate its importance!
Small Business Saturday is a great opportunity for people to show their support for small, independent businesses like ours. Make sure you mark your calendars for November 26th and swing by our store to pick up everything your pet needs! And don’t forget to tell your friends and family about us too! Together, we can make sure that independent pet stores remain a vital part of our community for years to come.