Small shops are emerging. For their busiest week before Christmas.
Small Business Week started after 2008. The financial crisis, led by firms such as payments giant American Express, attempted to revive independent stores.
it now serves as the counterweight for Black Friday.a sales bonanza that takes place a week in advance and is mostly focused on big brands like Amazon and chain stores like supermarkets.
For Bardan Pradhan of Village Greengrocers in Charlton, London, it’s the perfect time to reconnect with local shoppers.
Small Business Week is “one of our busiest times of the year,” he said. free As he prepares to sell the Christmas tree, the panettone, the spiced Christmas breads that are stolen and the vegetables for the big day dinner.
He admitted that the rise of online shops and the Black Friday sales they dominate have been difficult for the high street.
“It’s killed some businesses but it’s forced us to think outside the box,” he said.
For example, he will entice shoppers to mulled wine and wine tasting in his shop.
“E-commerce will always continue to grow but there is a strong, real demand for that interaction with consumers, which local shops provide, which is valuable.”
The government said it wants to help small businesses with a new advice scheme called the Business Growth Service which will launch in the New Year to tackle the time spent on their administration.
Minister for Employment, Alison McGovern MP, said: “This Small Business Week let’s support the UK’s incredible small, independent firms.
“We are ensuring that small businesses have the skilled staff they need to grow and succeed through our Get Britain to Work plan.
“And if you’re a small business owner, I encourage you to consider using our fantastic Job Centers the next time you need to hire – we’ll help you recruit and help you. is ready to help you find your next star employee.”
Michelle Owens CBE, founder of Small Business Britain, said: “A thriving small business community leads to a thriving country, so we look forward to working with the Government to further develop this initiative in 2025. Looking forward.”