Shop Small: The Small Business Saturday Press Conference

This morning I had the opportunity to attend a press conference at the ROTHMAN'S menswear store in NYC. Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Kenneth I. Chenault, CEO and Chairman of American Express; Christine C. Quinn, Speaker of the New York City Council; Robert Walsh, Commissioner of New York City Small Business Services and Kenneth Giddon, President of Rothman's and grandson of Rothman's founder Harry Rothman was on hand to speak at the conference. The press conference was held to talk about the "SECOND ANNUAL SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY" shopping event that is going to be held on November 26, 2011, the day after black friday. The initiative is to get consumers to shop locally and at their neighborhood boutiques. Small Business Saturday was created in 2010 by small business owner's to bring light to their products and services. This is a national campaign like "Fashion's Night Out, Black Friday and Cyber Monday" but consumers will be supporting the boutiques in their communities. This is my first time hearing about this event and I must say that it really got my attention. A lot of people tend to forget about the boutiques in the communities which I think is a bad thing. These local boutiques offer a lot of exclusive pieces and personalized services.

Also American Express is playing a big part in the event and their card members helped to drive sales last year when they shopped with an 28% increase. American Express is also giving it's card members a $25 credit when they register they card and shop on SBS. In addition, A.E. created tools through social networking to help promote and generate sales for the event. 1.5 million consumers showed their support for small businesses by "Liking" the Small Business Saturday page on facebook at www.facebook.com/ShopSmall.
Mayor Bloomberg also expressed how this is important to restore our troubled economy not only by showing support but creating jobs. He also said NY has the strongest small business community and they will offer support to new & old businesses to help them market their products. So fashionista's, I am encouraging you to shop the day AFTER black friday for the Small Business Saturday event to show your support for your neighborhood boutiques on November 26, 2011. To find out more about this shopping event go to the the facebook page(link above) or go to http://www.smallbusinesssaturday.com/. Also to get more details about A.E. go to http://www.americanexpress.com/. Don't forget to spread the word!