November 27th is Small Business Saturday

While small businesses are critical to the nation’s economy, their importance to local communities extends even further. For every $100 spent in locally-owned independent stores, approximately $68 returns to the community through taxes, payroll and other expenditures.¹   

So take a moment and think about the small businesses you visit most often. Maybe it’s the takeout restaurant, a local bookstore, or your go-to place for the perfect gift. Think about the impact these businesses have on your life and your neighborhood.

That is why American Express OPEN – along with nearly 20 public and private organizations (listed below) – is declaring Nov. 27 as Small Business Saturday. While Black Friday and Cyber Monday support national and online retailers, Small Business Saturday will support the local, independent small businesses that create jobs, boost the economy and build communities.

As a business owner, you can join the movement by visiting

facebook.com/smallbusinesssaturday, where you’ll find downloadable materials and social media tools to help promote your business and leverage the movement. American Express is also offering a $100 Facebook advertising credit to the first 10,000 business owners that sign up at facebook.com/smallbusinessaturday.² Business owners can create a free, personalized, geo-targeted ad that will run on Facebook leading up to Nov. 27.  

Plus, to help jumpstart retail traffic, American Express is offering Cardmembers a $25 statement credit with the purchase of at least $25 on Nov. 27 at any locally owned independent small businesses that accept American Express.³

Find out more by visiting smallbusinesssaturday.com or

Take a moment, join the movement, and spread the word!

Special thanks to the following organizations for their support of Small Business Saturday: The 3/50 Project, Business Matchmaking, Chicago Convention & Tourism Bureau, Count Me In, Destination DC,  eWomenNetwork, Facebook, Girls, Inc., Greater Boston Convention and Visitors Bureau, LA Inc., (The Los Angeles Convention and Visitors Bureau), National Trust for Historic Preservation’s Main Street Center, National Association of Women Business Owners, NYC & Co., SCORE: Counselors to Americas Small Businesses, San Francisco Convention & Visitors Bureau, Women’s Leadership Exchange, Women Impacting Public Policy, Women President’s Organization and Yelp!

¹Civics Economics, Oct. 2004, “The Andersonville Study of Retail Economics”

²Donations of $1 per person who “likes” Small Business Saturday” on Facebook - up to $500,000

³Register Card Statement Credit: To be eligible for the statement credit offer, you must be one of the first 100,000 Cardmemebers to  register your eligible American Express Card at facebook.com/smallbusinesssaturday between November 8, 2010 and November 27, 2010.  You may only register one Card for this offer. Using your registered Card, you must make a single purchase of $25 or more at any participating merchant on 11/27/2010 to receive the $25 statement credit. Purchases made online or at a government agency are not eligible.  Prepaid, corporate cards, and ExpressPay transactions, are not eligible. If your Card is replaced during the promotional period, please call the customer service number on the back of your Card for assistance. Registration is limited to the first 250,000 enrollees. Limit one statement credit per Cardmember. Statement credits are generally issued within 5 business days after your qualifying purchase, but may take up to 2 billing cycles to post to your account. Additional terms apply; see registration website for details.

⁴Facebook offer : To be eligible to receive $100 worth of Facebook ads, you must register your business at facebook.com/smallbusinesssaturday between November 8, 2010 and November 16, 2010. Registration is limited to the first 10,000 merchants. Limit one offer per registrant.