With the holidays quickly approaching, record spending is expected as people head out to grab gifts for their loved ones. But this year, unprecedented weather events have impacted the Wilmington area, local business owners say where people shop can make a big difference.
The National Retail Federation, according to its latest consumer survey, expects consumer spending for the winter holidays to reach a record of $902 per person on average across gifts, food, decorations and other seasonal items.
Of the $902, approximately $641 is expected to be spent on gifts for family, friends, coworkers and more, which is an increase from the $620 last year. The remaining $261 is expected to be spent on seasonal items such as food, candy, decorations, greeting cards and other holiday items.
What’s Small Business Saturday?
However, there’s a shorter window of time between Thanksgiving and Christmas this year, so how will local businesses take advantage of this time? This year will be the 15-year anniversary of Small Business Saturday, which was started in 2010 by American Express to support small businesses and the communities they serve.
According to the American Express 2023 Saturday Consumer Insights Survey, Small Business Saturday drove an estimated $17 billion from U.S. consumer reported spending. For every $1 spent in a small business, it’s been calculated that .67 cents stays in the community.
Small town strong
For small towns like Southport, business owner Pamela Sexton and employee Susan Hodson said this year it’s especially important to support small businesses with all that has hindered normal business operations from weather events to construction. Sexton owns Cattail Cottage on Howe Street and participates in Small Business Saturday each year, offering specials to customers.
With the ongoing N.C. 211 widening project, Sexton said people have avoided making the trek to Southport because of the traffic, but she tells customers to plan around it by coming on the weekends. Hodson said Southport has a plethora of small businesses, and they have been trying to spread awareness of all the town has to offer from bakeries to gift shops.
“I don’t think everybody knows what’s here in Southport,” Hodson said, also noting that when larger retail stores, such as the new Hobby Lobby, come to town it can draw attention away from small businesses. Sexton said people normally have to drive past the retail stores to get downtown.
Owner of Hive Sweet Home Kim Sirkin, who recently relocated her shop to Howe Street, said this holiday season will be a crucial time for local business owners who were affected by the storm that swept through Brunswick County on Sept. 16.
Sirkin said there was little traffic in Southport until around mid-October due to roads being shut down. She said, “it felt like the season abruptly ended,” and that Small Business Saturday will be an important time for businesses to make it through the winter. Sexton said the same, adding that it takes a little while to rebuild because even when roads reopened, the traffic into Southport left a bad taste in people’s mouths.
On Small Business Saturday, Sirkin said she will be offering hot chocolate, cookies and 20% off on Santa items, which include clothing, accessories and decor. She also said Santa himself will be visiting.
Where to shop in Wilmington
Downtown Wilmington, which is home to about 880 businesses according to Wilmington Downtown Inc., will be hopping on Small Business Saturday with participation from not just brick and mortar businesses, but market vendors.
Really Cool Stuff Holiday Market will bring over 60 artists and creators from Wilmington and nearby communities to Dock Street for those who want to get their shopping done early and support vendors from the Wilmington area and nearby communities.
James Christopher, co-owner of Cool Wilmington, which hosts the event, said this is the third year and the turnout has been tremendous.
“At Cool Wilmington, we feel that the local businesses are the lifeblood of our economy, and one of the reasons that makes Wilmington a special place to live,” Christopher wrote in an email to the StarNews. “By supporting our local small businesses and artisans, you’re not just making a purchase; you’re contributing to the sustainability of our community.”
Christopher noted that the City of Wilmington waives parking fees at all city operated parking spaces during the entirety of Thanksgiving weekend to make supporting local, small businesses even easier. Privately operated fees will still be in effect.