Sen. Carper Encourages Shoppers to Buy Local this Holiday Season

REHOBOTH BEACH, Del. – This week, U.S. Sen. Tom Carper (D-Del.) encouraged Delawareans to remember to “shop local” this holiday season by checking out Delaware’s many small businesses in Sussex and Kent Counties. In its fourth year, Small Business Saturday is a national movement that marks a day to support the local businesses that create jobs, boost the economy and preserve neighborhoods around the country. Between Black Friday and Cyber Monday, Small Business Saturday is a day to encourage folks to shop at local, independently-owned merchants. 

“In communities up and down Delaware, we’re lucky to have many locally-owned businesses to visit as the holiday shopping season approaches,” said Sen. Carper. “I encourage shoppers to visit their neighborhood small businesses in Delaware every day, but especially November 30, Small Business Saturday. We need to boost our national economy, but we can’t forget to also lend a hand to the main street businesses right here in the First State.”

Nationwide, small businesses employ more than 49 percent of the employees in the private sector. According to the National Retail Federation, an estimated 247 million shoppers spent $59.1 billion on consumer purchases during Thanksgiving weekend in 2012. By designating Nov. 30 as Small Business Saturday, shoppers are encouraged to make purchases from small businesses, increasing the share of the profits small businesses will enjoy.