Two Big Shop Local Events Set for November

As November approaches, two major shop local events are gearing up to make a significant impact on communities and small businesses nationwide. While each event has its own purpose, both tap into a growing cultural shift—a renewed awareness of buying local, supporting hometown businesses, and taking a closer look at where our money goes.

Bank Transfer Day – November 5

The first event is Bank Transfer Day, taking place on November 5. The idea is straightforward: if you currently bank with a large national institution, consider closing your account and moving your money to a local bank or credit union.

“It’s not people taking their money and burying it under their mattress. It’s shifting the money to a company people respect the practices of. It’s like, if you don’t like Wal-Mart’s practices, shopping at a local grocery store instead.”

~Kristin Christian, founder

While Bank Transfer Day is embraced by the Occupy Wall Street movement, it remains a separate initiative—one that reflects a rising consumer consciousness. Not everyone will make the switch on November 5, but many will think about it. And that awareness is telling. It signals a larger shift that small business owners should be watching closely.

Small Business Saturday – November 26

The second major event is Small Business Saturday, happening on November 26—the Saturday after Thanksgiving. Launched just a year ago, it was met with tremendous success.

“According to American Express, small business merchants saw a 28 percent rise in sales volume during last year’s Small Business Saturday, compared to the same day in 2009.”
~Business News Daily

The goal of Small Business Saturday is simple: encourage consumers to do their holiday shopping at locally owned businesses. And American Express sweetens the deal by offering a $25 statement credit for any cardholder who spends $25 or more at qualifying small businesses.

“‘Coming out of the recession, the number-one need we were hearing from small businesses was ‘help me get more customers, help me create greater demand,'”

~Mary Ann Fitzmaurice, Senior Vice President of American Express OPEN, told
The Huffington Post.

There are many ways small businesses can take part in Small Business Saturday. You can find resources, promotional tools, and marketing kits here: click here.

Why These Movements Matter

Whether you choose to participate as a consumer is entirely up to you. But as a small business owner, it’s critical to pay attention. These shop local events are not temporary trends—they are part of a steady shift in consumer behavior. While national brands won’t crumble because of them, they do present an opportunity for local businesses to capture more consumer dollars.

The more money that circulates locally, the stronger and faster local economies can recover and grow. And that benefits everyone—from small business owners to the communities they serve.

November brings momentum. Make sure your business is ready to take advantage of it.