What types of small businesses have you thought about supporting this year? With only a month left in 2020, small businesses in every industry are scrambling to bring in revenue before the end of the year. The holiday season is a key time for many business owners, and this year it’s even more important, with a second wave threatening to close down many communities. In this post, we will break down why this month is so crucial for U.S. small businesses, and we will highlight five unexpected types of small businesses that you can support this winter.
Why is this time of year important for small businesses?
December is a key time for small business owners to bring in revenue. On average, 20% of all retail revenue is brought in during the last week of November and December alone. Holiday shoppers keep small businesses afloat, especially in otherwise slow times when people aren’t buying much.
This year, online shopping is expected to increase by 17%, which will primarily benefit large retailers like Amazon (86% of shoppers expect to spend some of their holiday budgets on Amazon). Small businesses are moving into e-commerce—20% of them sold products online for the first time in 2020—but they need help to compete with online retail giants. Read on to learn about five surprising small business industries that need your help.
Unique Small Businesses Around the U.S. With Online Products
We reached out to some of the thousands of business owners we’ve been supporting since the start of the pandemic to hear about the products they have available for holiday shopping. From princess parties to artisanal potato chips, here are 5 unique types of small businesses to inspire you to shop small this winter.
Small Clothing Labels:
The impact of the pandemic on retail has been well-documented, with many large department stores laying off thousands of workers. But it’s not just big clothing stores that are impacted: smaller clothing designers are struggling to survive. Buying clothing or accessories from independent designers and shops is a great way to find unusual pieces and support a creative brand, like Florida-based PARISI Clothing or California-based Blancarte Designs. PARISI sells hand-printed and sewn clothes in bright patterns, while Blancarte sells premium handbags and face masks.
Artisan Food:
The whole food and beverage industry has been impacted by the pandemic, including not only restaurants but independent artisan food companies as well. If you’re looking for edible gifts, consider ordering a gift basket from a producer like The Gourmet Chip Company, an artisanal potato chip company based in Asheville, NC, that ships all over the country.
Travel and Experiences:
Now is a great time to book travel for 2021 or beyond, thanks to offerings like fully refundable packages and deep discounts from companies like Costa Rica Escapes. Costa Rica Escapes offers various booking and itinerary services for Americans to visit Costa Rica (which recently reopened to visitors from the U.S.).
You can buy virtual experiences from small businesses as well. Companies like NYC-based Let’s Dress Up, a party company specializing in princess-themed activities for kids, have transitioned to virtual or micro-events. Let’s Dress Up offers virtual tea parties and meet-and-greets with characters like Jasmine and Elsa.
Safety Supplies:
Cleaning and disinfecting supplies and personal protective equipment, like gloves and masks, can be hard to find at stores or on Amazon, especially when COVID-19 cases surge and customers hurry to prepare.
You can order the supplies you need directly from small businesses like Georgia-based cleaning company Pro Janitorial Systems, whose online store carries COVID-19 preventative and industrial cleaning products like gloves, disinfectant, and bleach.
Coaching and Consulting Businesses:
As business owners navigate the unexpected challenges of remote work and digitizing their companies, experts like Quantum Identity Group can help organizations prepare for 2021. The ripple impacts of COVID-19 on the economy have hurt independent consultants like Quantum, which specializes in helping organizations grow their brands. During the pandemic, they have transitioned to helping companies to develop strategies for virtual and remote work. You can find more info about them and schedule a free 30-minute consultation on their website.
Conclusion: Advocate for Small Business Owners This Holiday Season
Whether you support them financially or share about them on social media, making time to support small businesses near you this holiday season is important.
Thousands of small businesses have created listings on Skip as part of our "Support Covid Recovery" initiative. Check out more small businesses near you that you can learn about and support, and read our full list of featured businesses we recommend for holiday shopping here.