How to Support Small Businesses During Black Friday

Black Friday has become synonymous with massive discounts, long lines, and mega-retailers dominating the market. While large corporations often take the spotlight during this shopping event, it’s important to remember that small businesses also play a vital role in our economy and communities. Instead of focusing solely on big-box stores or online giants, why not make an effort to support small businesses this Black Friday?

Here’s how you can back local entrepreneurs and small shops during one of the busiest shopping seasons of the year:

1. Shop Local First

One of the most direct ways to support small businesses during Black Friday is to shop locally. Small businesses are the backbone of communities, providing unique products and personalized services that large retailers can’t always offer. Before heading to the mall or browsing through major online retailers, check out the small shops in your area.

Many local businesses also offer special deals or promotions around Black Friday and the holiday season, so you can still find great bargains while supporting your community. Even if prices aren’t as deeply discounted as the big stores, you’ll be investing in quality products and contributing to the local economy.

2. Participate in Small Business Saturday

Small Business Saturday, which falls the day after Black Friday, is a national initiative designed to encourage people to shop small. Many small businesses use this day to offer promotions, host special events, and connect with their communities. Supporting your favorite local stores on this day is a great way to show that you value the products, services, and personalized experiences they offer.

By planning your shopping around Small Business Saturday, you can make a conscious choice to avoid the overwhelming crowds of Black Friday while still enjoying great deals and supporting small, independent retailers.

3. Look for Handmade and Artisan Products

If you’re looking for unique, meaningful gifts during the holiday season, small businesses often offer handmade and artisan products you can’t find anywhere else. These one-of-a-kind items not only make for thoughtful presents but also help support artisans, creators, and small-scale manufacturers.

Whether it’s handcrafted jewelry, locally roasted coffee, or artisanal home goods, shopping from small businesses ensures that your holiday gifts have a personal touch. You can find many of these items at local markets, small stores, or even online through small business platforms like Etsy.

4. Spread the Word on Social Media

Not all support has to come in the form of spending money. You can also help small businesses by spreading the word about their products or services on social media. A shout-out on Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter can drive traffic to their website or storefront and introduce your friends and followers to new businesses they may not know about.

Small businesses often have limited marketing budgets compared to big-box retailers, so word-of-mouth and organic social media sharing can make a huge difference. When you post about a great local business, you help raise awareness and drive new customers to their door.

5. Purchase Gift Cards

If you’re unsure of what to buy during Black Friday or Small Business Saturday, consider purchasing gift cards from local businesses. Gift cards are a great way to support a business while giving someone the freedom to choose their own products or services later. This provides the business with immediate revenue during a crucial sales period, while the recipient can redeem the gift card at a time that suits them.

Many small businesses offer gift cards, whether they are brick-and-mortar shops or online retailers. It’s a win-win: you’re supporting a small business now and giving the recipient a thoughtful gift they can enjoy later.

6. Be Patient and Understanding

During Black Friday and the holiday season, small businesses can sometimes get overwhelmed by the increase in demand, whether it’s due to online orders or in-store shoppers. Unlike large corporations, small businesses often don’t have huge teams or automated systems to handle orders. As a result, things may take a little longer.

Be patient and understanding if shipping times are a bit slower or customer service isn’t as immediate. Supporting a small business is about valuing quality over quantity, so the little extra time is worth the personalized service and unique products you’ll receive.

7. Buy Experiences, Not Just Products

Many small businesses don’t just sell goods but also offer services and experiences. Consider gifting experiences like spa treatments, classes, or restaurant meals from small, locally-owned businesses. Whether it’s a cooking class from a local chef, a photography session from an independent photographer, or tickets to a local theater performance, these experiences can create lasting memories while supporting small, service-oriented businesses.

Experiential gifts also help local businesses that may not benefit as much from traditional retail traffic during Black Friday but can still thrive with community support.

8. Support Online Small Businesses

If you’re shopping online during Black Friday, remember that small businesses often have e-commerce platforms, too. Many local and independent retailers have adapted by creating user-friendly websites where customers can shop for products, services, or gift cards.

Platforms like Etsy, Shopify, and even Instagram shops allow small businesses to compete with major online retailers, making it easy for you to shop small from the comfort of your home. By choosing to shop from these platforms, you are directly supporting individual makers and entrepreneurs, even if you’re not able to visit them in person.

9. Choose Ethical and Sustainable Options

Small businesses often pride themselves on offering products that are ethically produced and sustainably sourced. When you shop from a small business, you’re more likely to find products made from environmentally friendly materials, fair-trade items, or locally sourced goods. These businesses tend to be more transparent about their supply chains and manufacturing processes than large corporations.

By making conscious choices and supporting small businesses with a commitment to sustainability, you can help reduce the environmental impact of holiday shopping while promoting ethical practices.

10. Prioritize Quality Over Quantity

Black Friday often encourages a mindset of buying more for less, but small businesses typically focus on offering high-quality, durable products rather than the mass-produced goods you might find at major retailers. Investing in quality products from small businesses may mean spending a little more, but you’ll likely end up with items that last longer, are better made, and come with a personal story behind them.

When you support small businesses, you’re investing in craftsmanship, quality, and care—all of which add value to the products you purchase.

Final Thoughts

This Black Friday, you can make a difference by choosing to support small businesses. Whether you shop local, spread the word on social media, or buy unique, handmade products, every action helps these businesses thrive during the busiest shopping season of the year. In doing so, you contribute to your community, invest in quality goods, and promote a more sustainable, ethical way of shopping.

Let’s make this Black Friday not just about finding deals but about supporting the small businesses that make our communities special