PENSACOLA, FL (352today.com) – The Florida Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Network, the state’s principal provider of small business assistance, encourages small businesses to participate in Small Business Saturday, which will be held this Saturday, November 29, 2025, and urges consumers to support small businesses during this day and throughout the holiday season.

Created by American Express in 2010, Small Business Saturday serves as the ceremonial kickoff to the holiday shopping season for small businesses across the United States. Small Business Saturday is a day dedicated to supporting small businesses and strengthening communities across the country.

In 2024, U.S. reported projected spending among customers who shopped at independent retailers and restaurants on Small Business Saturday reached an estimated $22 billion. According to the 2025 Small Business Saturday Consumer Insights Survey commissioned by American Express, 86 percent of surveyed customers say they are likely to Shop Small this holiday season and 76 percent agree that small businesses are essential to their community.

“When you shop small, you help fuel local jobs, local investment, and local opportunity,” said Greg Britton, state director of the Florida SBDC Network. “The Florida SBDC Network encourages Floridians to make small businesses part of their holiday traditions and to continue supporting them year-round.”

The network encourages small businesses to consider participating in Small Business Saturday.

Some ways to participate include:

  • Visiting ShopSmall.com to download customizable marketing materials, including storefront signage, website banners, and social posts
  • Partnering with other small businesses in your community
  • Considering offering a special discount or promotion
  • Encouraging customers to participate through social media and email marketing
  • Small businesses and consumers may learn more about Small Business Saturday and how to get involved by visiting ShopSmall.com

About the Florida SBDC Network:

For nearly 50 years, the Florida SBDC Network, the state’s principal provider of business assistance [ Fl. Stat. 288.001], has nourished a statewide partnership between higher education and economic development to provide existing and emerging small and medium-sized business owners with management and knowledge resources that enable overall growth, increased profitability, and economic prosperity for Florida’s economy. In 2024, the Florida SBDC Network delivered 107,812 hours of consulting to 15,474 small business clients–resulting in business owners securing $304 million in capital, $732 million in government contracts, impacting 19,800 jobs, increasing sales by over $3.8 billion, and creating 1,019 new businesses.

With over 40 offices statewide, the Florida SBDC is funded in part by the U.S. Small Business Administration, Department of Defense, State of Florida and other private and public partners. Full funding disclosure available at floridasbdc.org/funding-disclosures/. The Florida SBDC Network, headquartered at the University of West Florida, is nationally accredited by the Association of SBDCs and is a recipient of the President’s E Award for Export Service. Florida SBDC services are extended to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis. Language assistance services are available for individuals with limited English proficiency. For more information, please visit FloridaSBDC.org.