More Americans Plan to Shop Small and Spend Big on Small Business Saturday®, According to Pre-Holiday Research from NFIB and American Express

NEW YORK - (BUSINESS WIRE) - Consumers say they will be out in full force on the Saturday after Thanksgiving, Small Business Saturday, to support the small businesses that fuel the U.S. economy, create jobs and keep communities thriving. Of the tens of millions of Americans familiar with Small Business Saturday, 67 percent are planning to "shop small" on the day, November 24^th, 2012 (44% said they shopped at small businesses on Small Business Saturday in 2011), according to the Small Business Saturday Consumer Insights Survey. The new research, released today by the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) and American Express, shows that of those consumers who shopped last year on Small Business Saturday, 70 percent plan to spend more or the same amount this year and will spend on average $100 on Small Business Saturday.

Thousands of small businesses around the country are planning special offers, partnering with neighboring businesses, and hosting events to support the small business shopping day. Small Business Saturday, which falls between Black Friday and Cyber Monday, was created in response to small business owners' most pressing need: more customers.

"Small Business Saturday has become the ceremonial kick-off to the holiday shopping season for small business owners across the country," said Susan Sobbott, president at American Express OPEN. "Small Business Saturday provides an opportunity to harness the nation's enthusiasm for small business and celebrate their impact on local communities and the national economy."