SPOKANE COUNTY – Many businesses have turned to an online format to keep their customers shopping during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Spokane County Library District is following suit to keep an annual national tradition alive locally. The district is hosting the fifth-annual Small Business Saturday on Nov. 28 – 24 hours after Black Friday – to promote businesses that are the centerpiece of most communities.
With coronavirus restrictions limiting the number of people who can safely enter a business, the district is promoting Small Business Saturday not only as an online event – but has expanded it to a full week, starting Saturday and ending Saturday, Dec. 5. Libraries in Cheney, Medical Lake, Deer Park and Millwood have worked with local businesses to continue the tradition started in 2010 by American Express – 11 businesses in Cheney and 10 in Medical Lake.
“In light of the pandemic and its accompanying challenges, we’ve simplified participation in Small Business Saturday this year,” Library District public services manager Stacey Goddard said in a district blog post.
Library officials have listed three steps to taking part in Small Business Saturday. First, stop at one or more of the businesses, either in-person or online. Second, go online and write a review on Facebook or Google about your shopping experience at those businesses – a task Goddard said is not that hard even if you’re never written a review.
“Search for the local business on Facebook or Google, then check details such as location and description to make sure you’ve found the correct store,” she said. “Next, look for the ‘write a review’ option and lick it to share a few words about your experience with the business.”
Statistics show that more people are turning to online options to meet their needs, and not just because of the pandemic. According to Statista, 1.8 billion people shopped online globally in 2018, purchasing $2.8 trillion of merchandise — a figure that is expected to hit $4.8 trillion in 2021.
According to an Oct. 13 CNN Business article, U.S. online sales will increase 18 % to $710 billion this year, according to a report in June by research firm eMarketer. There is some evidence consumers won’t abandon this once the pandemic subsides, with features such as curbside pickup proving popular, and in any case, many start with online research to determine where they wish to buy products.
“By completing online reviews for the local business you frequent, you are helping future customers make informed decisions on where to shop,” the Library District’s Goddard said.
The third and final step in participating in Small Business Saturday is to stop by one of the participating library branches to get a Shop Small prize using curbside pickup, while supplies last. Additionally, many local small businesses are offering specials to celebrate Small Business Saturday, and customers should contact the business prior to shopping to find out more.
Businesses taking part in Small Business Saturday in Cheney are Cheney Feed & Supply, Cheney Feed & Tack, Cheney Owl Pharmacy, Copy Junction, Cottonwood Creek Boutique, D’Tails Pet Salon, Diamond Beauty and Boutique, Marketplace Bakery & Eatery, The Mason Jar, Ree Creations and A Town & Country Floral.
Medical Lake businesses are El Ixtapa Mexican Restaurant, Farm Salvation, Jake’s Old Fashioned Burgers, Medical Lake Salon, Morning Brew, Owl Pharmacy, Pizza Factory, Snap Fitness, Tommy G’s and Village True Value Supply.
John McCallum can be reached at [email protected].
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