Multichannel retailer Joules is among those preparing to mark Small Business Saturday tomorrow. It’s doing so by offering discounts of up to 25% off on its Friends of Joules online marketplace.
Products on the marketplace are chosen by Joules from brands including Warner’s Distillery, Mutts & Hounds and Tillyanna in categories from crafting to food and tableware.
Nick Jones, chief executive of Joules, said: “It’s been a challenging year for most across the UK, but even more so for small businesses. As a company which has been built from country shows and events across the UK, Joules has a unique understanding of the vital role small businesses have in driving creativity within our industry and believe it’s essential they receive additional support. To show our ongoing appreciation, and to provide a helping hand, we are helping provide discounts across our Friends of Joules marketplace this weekend, and look forward to continuing our support in the year ahead.”
Research from American Express suggests that seven in 10 UK shoppers say they now appreciate local businesses more than ever – following the support that they’ve given during the Covid-19 pandemic and lockdowns. During December, they expect to spend £6.2bn with local shopkeepers. Four in five consider local shop workers to be frontline workers, and 40% say they have spent more with local businesses since March – and 78% expect to either maintain spending or increase it in 2021.
Dan Edelman, general manager UK, global merchant and network services at American Express, said: “2020 has been hard for everyone but the resilience and creativity of small businesses in the face of the most trying of circumstances continues to be nothing short of incredible. It’s great to see that Brits recognise the important contribution local small businesses make and want to show their support, rewarding them with a much-needed boost to spending before the end of the year. As principal supporter of Small Business Saturday, we hope that people will continue to show their support for their local independents by shopping small, not just this December but all year round.”
