Holiday Shopping Weekends Continues to Grow Every Year

Small Business Saturday is an alternative to the hysteria of Black Friday shopping.

SPONSOREDUpdated 8:08AM • 11/24/15

Photo courtesy of Canadapanda / Shutterstock.com

A mass horde of people waiting outside of malls, neighbors trampling over each other to get necessary supplies and countrymen fighting over items in order to survive. This is not a description of a horror movie, although it’s pretty close. No it’s a description of Black Friday.

The most popular shopping day of the year completely turns the notion of togetherness that Thanksgiving boasts on its head. The actual day is a site to behold - consumers camping out before stores open only to leave them a barren wasteland after everything is gone.

Although the National Retail Federation said that spending during the Thanksgiving weekend was down in 2014 compared to 2013, the amount people were willing to spend was astronomical. The NRF estimated the average shopper would spend $380.95 over the 2014 Thanksgiving weekend, with total spending reaching $50.9 billion. Yes, that is a B as in billions.

This spending can be great for the economy and franchisees, but some stores are fanning the flames when it comes to crazy shopping during the holiday. In fact, certain stores will remain open Thanksgiving night, thus extending Black Friday across multiple days.

Remaining open on Thanksgiving is not without controversy however. Would consumers go shopping after spending time with their families around the holiday meal? Is it fair to employees?

With Black Friday shopping on everyone’s mind, a select few retailers have decided that enough was enough. Outdoor recreation and sporting goods retailer REI is not just closing their stores, but paying its employees to stay home.

“We’re closing all 143 of our stores. Instead of reporting to work, we’re paying our employees to do what we love most—be outside,” a statement from the brand read. “We’re passionate about bringing you great gear, but we’re even more passionate about the experiences it unlocks for all of us. While the rest of the world is fighting it out in the aisles, we hope to see you in the great outdoors.”

There are other ways people have started to curb the favor away from Black Friday splurging and it is the day after the infamous holiday; Small Business Saturday. On this day, November 28, 2015, shoppers are encouraged to visit local and small businesses, which include a wide range of franchise options. Small Business Saturday is a registered trademark of the American Express Corporation.

First observed in 2010, the unofficial holiday has become a hit. According to research from American Express, shoppers spent an estimated $5.7 billion at small and independent retailers and more than 1,450 neighborhoods rallied their communities to take part in the event in 2013.

President Barack Obama has even endorsed the day and visited a local Washington, D.C. bookstore last year with his family to buy some books. In an open letter recognizing Small Business Saturday, the president claimed that small businesses are the backbone of the American economy.

“America's small business owners are on the front lines when it comes to creating new jobs and opportunities,” Obama said. “From shops and restaurants that showcase the talents of entrepreneurs to innovative companies that bolster local economies, small businesses define our neighborhoods and towns.”