Small firms call for shopper support on eve of Small Business Saturday as turnover tops £2 trillion

Press Releases 10 Dec 2019

FSB looks forward to the seventh #SmallBizSat

More than £800 million spent with small firms on last year’s #SmallBizSatUK

  • Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) urges election candidates to visit local firms tomorrow
  • UK’s largest business group has spelled out key asks for next government in Back to Business manifesto

With tomorrow marking the seventh celebration of Small Business Saturday UK, FSB is urging all shoppers to get out and spend with independent firms.

The event is being celebrated against a backdrop of a rise in the number of smaller businesses operating across the UK to 5.8 million last year; combined turnover and proportion of private sector workforce employed also rose to £2 trillion and 60% respectively.  

Meanwhile, high streets across the UK face challenging conditions, with retail sales growing by just 0.2% in October, the slowest increase since April 2018.

FSB’s latest Small Business Index shows that just one in three (33%) smaller retailers expect their prospects to improve over the coming three months – well over half (58%) expect performance to worsen.

FSB National Chairman Mike Cherry said: “It’s lucky number seven for the fantastic Small Business Saturday and we’re edging ever closer to our first £1 billion spend. 

“We’re calling on all shoppers to forget Black Friday and get behind this unique celebration of independent businesses.

“When you back a small business in your local community, you’re much more likely to see your money re-spent nearby than if you handed it over to a big corporation –
through local job creation, purchases from other businesses and investment. 

“With a general election just days away, it’s more important than ever that candidates get out to meet small business owners in their constituencies in order to understand the challenges we face. There are millions of us – and FSB is urging every one to head to the polls on Thursday.” 

Small Business Saturday Founder Michelle Ovens said: “Small Business Saturday celebrates the huge contribution that small businesses play. Yet again, this year’s event will be an opportunity for communities to show their support for these businesses across the UK.

"The lead up to the big day has been incredibly exciting, with our bus travelling the length and breadth of the country and so many amazing small firms being highlighted through the Small Biz 100.

“We are encouraging people to get out and about this Saturday and show their local small firms some love in the run up Christmas."

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About FSB

As the UK’s largest business support group, FSB is the voice of the UK’s small businesses and the self-employed. Established over 40 years ago to help its members succeed in business, FSB is a non-profit making and non-party political organisation that’s led by its members, for its members. As the UK’s leading business campaigner, FSB is focused on delivering change which supports smaller businesses to grow and succeed.

FSB offers members a wide range of vital business services, including access to finance, business banking, legal advice and support along with a powerful voice in Government. Each year FSB also runs the UK’s Celebrating Small Business Awards. More information is available at www.fsb.org.uk. You can follow us on twitter @fsb_policy and on Instagram @fsb_uk.