WASHINGTON, Nov. 20 (UPI) -- Small, independent corner stores might be able to counter-punch the national retail chains with Small Business Saturday, organizers of a new retail event said.
As big-box stores across the nation prepare for their annual discount gala the day after Thanksgiving called Black Friday, the Mom and Pop boutiques in those old-fashioned, sometimes struggling downtown shopping districts can have a day of their own, said Rosa Sabater, senior vice president at American Express, which is credited with cooking up the idea, The Washington Post reported Saturday.
"The number one issue facing small businesses is they don't have enough people walking in their door. That is something we can all help with," Sabater said.
Mayors Michael Bloomberg in New York and Thomas Menino in Boston have helped promote the event, which will be squeezed in between Black Friday and Cyber Monday, the Post reported.
American Express said it would give small retailers $100 in free advertising on Facebook if they participated in Small Business Saturday and $25 credit to 100,000 customers who take part -- as long as they shop at an independent retail store on that day.
"I'm not sure it's going to be a success overnight, but I think there's great potential," said Valerie Lucas, owner of Coup de Foudre, a lingerie shop in Washington.
