Shop Small on November 26 to Support Your Local Economy
Oak Ridge, N.J. – November 17, 2016 – At the height of the holiday shopping season, Small Business Saturday inspires consumers to support their community by shopping at local independent businesses on the Saturday after Thanksgiving. Last year, 95 million consumers shopped small on Small Business Saturday, up 8.2 percent from 2014, and spent $16.2 billion at local and independent businesses. This year's Small Business Saturday, which takes place on November 26, is expected to generate even more revenue for local businesses.
“As a community bank, we truly understand the importance of supporting neighborhood small businesses,” said Thomas Shara, president and CEO of Lakeland Bank. “Small Business Saturday is the perfect opportunity to make a positive impact in your community. When you buy a product or service from a small business, your money goes back into your local economy. Plus small businesses often sell unique merchandise that you can’t purchase elsewhere.”
Here are three ways you can participate in Small Business Saturday, while turning the day into a fun outing for you and your friends and family.
Become a Neighborhood Champion
If you are part of a business association, state or local chamber of commerce or other community organization, you can become a Neighborhood Champion. As a Neighborhood Champion, you can support Small Business Saturday by hosting an event and inviting small businesses and local politicians to attend. Small businesses can set up pop-up shops for consumers, and coverage by local media can help spread the word.
Promote stores on social media
Let others know how much you enjoy shopping at small businesses by using the hashtag #ShopSmall on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Share a photo of your unique purchases and mention the places where you shopped to help increase awareness of your local businesses.
Make a day out of it
On Small Business Saturday, many local small businesses will decorate their stores, sell special merchandise, or host events. Some shops host trunk shows for independent Etsy sellers alongside their regular merchandise. You can take advantage of this day to find unique holiday gifts while supporting the small businesses in your community. Plan a day with friends and family to go shopping in your area and enjoy lunch or dinner at a neighborhood restaurant!
We invite you to stop by your local
Lakeland Bank branch while you’re enjoying Small Business Saturday to find out how we support your community and its small businesses.
About Lakeland Bank
Lakeland Bank is the wholly-owned subsidiary of Lakeland Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ:LBAI), which has $4.9 billion in total assets. The Bank operates 52 New Jersey branch offices in Bergen, Essex, Morris, Ocean, Passaic, Somerset, Sussex, and Union counties; five New Jersey regional commercial lending centers in Bernardsville, Jackson, Montville, Teaneck and Waldwick; and two commercial loan production offices serving Middlesex and Monmouth counties in New Jersey and the Hudson Valley region of New York. Lakeland Bank offers an extensive suite of financial products and services for businesses and consumers. Visit
LakelandBank.com for more information.
