Small Business Saturday falls on the Saturday after Thanksgiving each year, sandwiched between Black Friday's mega-deals and Cyber Monday's online rush. American Express launched the event in 2010 to encourage shoppers to support local businesses during the holiday season, and it's grown into one of the biggest shopping days for independent retailers, restaurants, and service providers.

Update Your Store Listings Before Small Business Saturday

Before anything else, check that your business information is accurate everywhere customers might look for it. A mismatched address or outdated hours can send holiday shoppers straight to a competitor. Start with these platforms:

• Google Business Profile: Confirm your hours, address, and phone number. Add a post announcing your Small Business Saturday promotions.

• Yelp and other review sites: Update holiday hours and respond to any recent reviews.

• Social media bios: Make sure Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok profiles reflect any special hours or offers.

• Your website: Add a banner or pop-up announcing your Small Business Saturday deals, and double-check that your contact page and store locator are current.

This step takes under an hour but prevents the most common (and most frustrating) customer experience: showing up to a business that isn't where—or when—they expected it to be.

Inventory And Display Ideas For Small Business Saturday

Inventory is less about adding new products and more about making your best offerings easy to find. Shoppers on Small Business Saturday are often looking for gifts, so highlight items that work well for gift-giving: bundles, gift cards, and your most popular products. A few practical moves:

• Pull your top sellers from the past month and feature them near the entrance or at the top of your homepage.

• Create a simple gift guide, even a printed sign or a short blog post, organized by price point or recipient type.

• Stock up on gift cards and gift wrap or packaging supplies if you haven't already.

• Check your point-of-sale system to confirm any discounts or promotions are set up correctly before doors open.

If you sell online, make sure your shipping deadlines are clearly posted. Shoppers who missed Black Friday deals often want reassurance that gifts will arrive in time for the holidays.

Train Staff For Small Business Saturday Promotion

Even a quick team huddle the day before (or morning of) can make a noticeable difference. Staff who understand the day's promotions, return policies, and any special events will create a smoother experience for customers. Cover the basics:

• What discounts or bundles are running, and how to apply them at checkout.

• Any Small Business Saturday-specific messaging, such as mentioning the shop local movement or thanking customers for their support.

• How to handle increased foot traffic, longer lines, or extra phone and social media inquiries.

If you're a solo operator, jot down a quick reference sheet for yourself. Juggling customers, gift wrapping, and payment questions is easier when the details are written down rather than memorized under pressure.

Make Sure To Promote Small Business Saturday In The Final 48 Hours

Last-minute promotion is still effective promotion. Shoppers often decide where to go the night before or the morning of, which means your final push matters. Focus on channels that reach people quickly:

• Social media: Post a countdown, a behind-the-scenes look at your prep, or a reminder of your hours and deals. Use the hashtag #SmallBusinessSaturday or #ShopSmall to join the broader conversation and increase visibility.

• Email list: Send a short, clear email with your hours, promotions, and a reason to visit (new arrivals, limited quantities, or a one-day discount).

• Local community groups: Many towns have Facebook groups or neighborhood apps like Nextdoor where shop owners can post reminders about local events.

• Partner with nearby businesses: If you're part of a shopping district, ask neighboring shops to cross-promote on social media. A shared post reaches more people than one business posting alone.

Choose one or two of these levers rather than trying to do everything. A well-executed email and a few strong social posts will outperform a scattered effort across five platforms.

Make The Most Of The Day Itself

Small Business Saturday rewards businesses that show up prepared, even if that preparation happens at the eleventh hour. Accurate listings, well-organized inventory, a briefed team, and a clear promotional push cover the fundamentals that matter most to shoppers looking to support local businesses.

Since 2005, Quikstone Capital Solutions has been a trusted advisor to thousands of merchants. Quikstone provides these merchants with easy, fast, and flexible working capital for all their business needs. If you need cash for your business, contact us today. We have only one goal: to help your business succeed.