SARASOTA, Fla. — Black Friday may be almost over but don't put away your wallets and purses just yet as Small Business Saturday kicks off soon.
The "buy local" initiative which was started by American Express in 2010 and recognized by the U.S. Senate in a resolution the following year has quickly gained popularity as a "consumer social responsibility retail" day.
It's an opportunity for shoppers to be intentional about supporting local businesses in their community or other small businesses that could use the extra boost to their bottom line.
Thanksgiving weekend is considered the busiest shopping weekend of the year with Black Friday kicking off the series of shopping days and giving businesses across the country an opportunity to close gaps in their profit margins.
"Black Friday started out with a bang. We have great sales going on today and we will continue through the week. It's been awesome so far with lots of people out," said Bryan Eible, co-owner of Foxy Lady Sarasota.
The National Retail Federation estimates 182 million people are planning to shop in-store and online over the next few days.
"It's a little gray outside so it's perfect weather for people to come shopping since they probably aren't going to the beach," said Lindsey Klentzin, owner of Salty Stitch Sarasota.
Ahead of Cyber Monday which is when shoppers look for deals online, local retailers hope the message of supporting local that Small Business Saturday brings would sway shoppers in their direction first.
"We have been dressing the ladies in Sarasota since 1972, 51 years and we're really looking forward to doing some local business tomorrow," Eible said.
St. Armands Circle and nearby Main Street are the hubs of boutique retail and also a number of locally owned restaurants in Sarasota.
Local merchants say the dollars spent shopping there are about being intentional with where one spends their money.
"It is to participate in your community, to help people who are struggling, many times to just keep the doors open, when you go through a hurricane or you go through a recession. That's when they need you the most because that's when it's the worst," said Jack Bennington with Bennington Tobacco Inc.
Merchants also said they've had to get creative to redirect shoppers away from the lure of popular online retailers.
"I think there's a lot of competition with the internet and Amazon and those other places and it's nice when people actually come out and come in your store and buy stuff and still you are able to get the discount that they're looking for," Klentzin said.
They also said those dollars not only keep the lights on but keep locals employed and help revitalize the local economy, especially in many struggling downtown centers in smaller towns and cities.
"The big businesses make money all year long. I think this weekend about the small business," Eible said.
NRF's forecast showed holiday spending could reach record levels for November and December and will grow to around $966 billion.