This is not a drill: Small Business Saturday 2022 is this Saturday.
Ideally, your halls are decked, your deals are set, and you’re ready to warmly welcome your customers on Nov. 26. (If not, there’s still time to prepare — but you need to hurry!)
In the past, we’ve traditionally used this week’s blog space to talk about why Small Business Saturday is so important, but we’re pretty sure we’ve nailed that into your brain by now. So this year, we’re going to talk about why Small Business Saturday 2022 is going to look different than it has in previous years.
As we speed headlong into the holidays, here’s what you need to know.
Everything Is Expensive
Last year, problems with the supply chain made it difficult for consumers to get their hands on must-have merchandise. Those supply-chain issues haven’t fully abated, but there’s a more pressing concern in 2022:
This year, shoppers have been stymied by red-hot inflation that has ranged from 7.5% to 9.1%.
With everything from gasoline to golden retrievers considerably more expensive than last year, budgets are tighter than ever. In 2021, the average shopper planned to spend $1,000 on Christmas gifts; this year, they’re aiming for $770 — down 23%!
With people looking to cut corners at every opportunity, you might do better spotlighting lower-cost products and services rather than promoting offerings with high price points.
Black Friday Started Weeks Ago
OK. Technically speaking, Black Friday still hadn’t happened as of this writing. But it might as well have.
It used to be that Black Friday was a day. Now, it’s become an entire season, with some big-box stores launching Black Friday deals as early as late September.
In short, if you haven’t started holiday promotions, you’re already behind the 8-ball.
It’s not just about offering your customers something that the mega-marts can’t. It’s about showing people why they want to shop with you. Tell your brand’s story. Build a better connection with your audience. Introduce your customers to the face behind the business.
Small Business Saturday 2022 is, in large part, about setting yourself apart from the Walmarts, Targets and Best Buys of the world.
The Pandemic Is (Mostly) in the Past
We’re not declaring an end to COVID (or the flu, or RSV, or any other virus), but in many places, things are back to whatever passes for normal these days.
People are gathering again, holiday parades are back on the schedule, masks are once more the exception rather than the rule, and it’s been a while since we saw a fistfight over the last bottle of hand sanitizer.
If you have a brick-and-mortar location, be prepared for more foot traffic than you’ve seen in the last couple years. And while we don’t recommend spritzing each customer with Lysol like you’re running the perfume counter at Macy’s, we do suggest that you maintain a basic standard of cleanliness — for everyone’s benefit.
Competition Is Fierce
We can all agree that 2020 and 2021 were dumpster fires of epic proportions. Small businesses everywhere suffered. Many of them closed down, and some of them never reopened. For those that did, the stakes are higher than ever in 2022.
Many business owners see Small Business Saturday 2022 as a chance to make up for lost time, and they’re pulling out all the stops to make it happen. Don’t let yourself be outdone by the competition! Everyone else is upping their game and you should, too.
Happy Small Business Saturday 2022!
For a business owner, the days leading up to Small Business Saturday are full of anticipation, excitement and a not-insubstantial bit of anxiety. Get ready, because it’s almost time to open the doors!
Mischa Communications wishes you nothing but success on Small Business Saturday and beyond. This is your friendly reminder that we’re here year round to help you with all of your business marketing needs. Getting started couldn’t be easier!