Seattle orgs urge residents to shop local on Small Business Saturday
Several organizations in Seattle are encouraging residents to support local businesses on Small Business Saturday, the annual shopping event held the Saturday after Thanksgiving. Initiated by American Express in 2010 to boost local economies after the Great Recession, the event aims to direct consumer spending toward small, community-based businesses rather than large retailers. According to the Seattle Office of Economic Development,spending $100 at a local small business returns about $48 back into the community,generating significantly more local wealth than spending at non-local stores.
Despite rising operating costs and economic challenges,including Seattle’s planned $21.30 minimum wage in 2026 and high inflation concerns reported by many small business owners, local businesses remain vital to the city’s economy. Officials urge Seattle residents to shop local this holiday season to support small businesses, which are struggling amid increasing expenses. The social enterprise Intentionalist noted that if every adult in Washington redirected $50 of holiday shopping to local stores, nearly $300 million would be funneled into the state’s communities.
Visitor numbers in downtown Seattle are up compared to the previous year, with December expected to be the busiest month. Small Business Saturday’s success could help set a positive tone for the holiday season and the coming year for local businesses and the city.
Seattle orgs urge residents to shop local on Small Business Saturday
(The Center Square) – Several local organizations are urging Seattle residents to support Small Business Saturday amid some concerns about the economy.
Small Business Saturday is an annual event on the Saturday after Thanksgiving that encourages consumers to support and shop at local small businesses. It was started by American Express in 2010 in the aftermath of the Great Recession to provide a counterpoint to Black Friday and Cyber Monday by directing consumer spending toward local economies.
According to a recent post by the Seattle Office of Economic Development, for every $100 spent at a local small business, it is estimated around $48 is reinvested back into the community. In addition, spending locally generates three-and-a-half times more wealth that stays in the neighborhoods and communities these businesses serve, according to the post.
Seattle businesses are continuing to see operating costs rise with the city, King County and Washington adding the pressure. For instance, Seattle businesses will have to pay employees a $21.30 minimum wage in 2026, one of the highest in the U.S.
According to a U.S. Chamber of Commerce report in April, 58% of small business owners reported inflation as a top concern, with one in three small businesses saying they are not comfortable with their cash flow.
“Right now, we need Seattleites to support our small businesses. Small businesses are the backbone of our economy and they are struggling right now due to rising costs across the board and an uncertain economy,” Seattle Office of Economic Development Director Markham McIntyre emailed The Center Square. “Supporting our local stores on Small Business Saturday is a great way for people to explore neighborhoods, discover unique locally produced products, and help out our fabulous small businesses.”
The Seattle-based social enterprise, Intentionalist, called for Washingtonians to shop local on Saturday, noting that if every adult in Washington shifted $50 in holiday spending to local businesses, that would direct nearly $300 million throughout the state’s communities.
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Downtown Seattle Association Director of Media Relations James Sido told The Center Square the downtown area is seeing an increasing rate of local visitors to the area this year. Every month so far in 2025 has seen a year-over-year increase for local visitors in the retail corridor.
December also serves as the busiest month of the year for local visitor foot traffic in the retail core. Any momentum from Small Business Saturday into the holiday season will be watched with a close eye by small business owners and the city, as a strong weekend could set the tone for a more resilient year ahead.
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