Small businesses make our communities stronger
Small businesses are at the heart of communities across Canada. They create jobs, support local causes, and bring character to the places we call home.
Small Business Saturday is an opportunity to celebrate everything they contribute and recognize the important role they play in Canada's communities and economy.
Choose small on November 28 and all year long.
Find a small business in your neighbourhood
Curious about supporting small, close to home? Find local shops, cafés, salons and more using Amex Maps1 wherever you are. Don't forget to look for the Shop Small icon.
1Amex Maps features eligible American Express Card accepting merchants and is intended for general reference purposes only. It does not represent a comprehensive list of all Card accepting merchants. Data is updated from time to time and may not be 100% accurate. For a list of eligibility criteria or to access Frequently Asked Questions please visit https://icm.aexp-static.com/content/dam/one-amex/merchant/en-ca/footer/default/CAFAQs.pdf.
Make Small Business Saturday Count
Shop. Discover. Share.
Visit a favourite local business or discover somewhere new. Then spread the word. Tell friends and family where you're shopping and share your support using #SmallBusinessSaturday and #FallinLovewithLocal.
Get your business ready.
Let customers know you're taking part. Download CFIB's free Small Business Saturday toolkit for ready-to-use resources to help you promote your business and encourage customers to shop local.
Get your community involved.
If you're a BIA or neighbourhood organization, you can help promote Small Business Saturday. Contact marketingpartnerships@cfib.ca.
Your Dollars Make a Difference
Shopping small keeps more of your spending close to home.
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66¢ stays local
For every dollar spent at a small business, 66 cents stays in the local economy, compared with just 11 cents at a multinational retailer.
That means more of your money stays close to home, supporting local jobs, businesses and communities.
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Canadians want to support local
9 out of 10 Canadians value having locally owned businesses in their neighbourhood.
Small Business Saturday is a chance to turn that support into action.
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Small choices add up
Grab a coffee, enjoy a meal, shop for a gift or choose a local service. Every local purchase counts.
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Discover something different
Unique products. Personal service. Local character. Small businesses offer plenty you won't find anywhere else.
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Spread the word
Found a local business worth talking about? Recommend it, leave a positive review or give it a shout-out on social media. Word of mouth can go a long way for a small business.
Canadians Have Fallen in Love With Local
What makes a small business special? It's the people who know your name, a product you can't find anywhere else, and sometimes it's simply knowing that your purchase supports people in your community.
See why Canadians are celebrating the small businesses they love.
Share why you love your favourite small business using #SmallBusinessSaturday and #FallinLovewithLocal.
Canadians Have Fallen in Love With Local
5 reasons to feel great about shopping small
- You’re keeping your community vibrant and thriving
- You’re supporting Canadian workers: 10 million work at small & medium-sized businesses*
- You’re supporting local causes: 2 in 3 small retailers donate time & money to local charities**
- Your dollars stay local: 69% of small retailers buy from other local businesses**
- You’re supporting someone’s dream!
Sources: *Statistics Canada Labour Force Survey, 2020.
**CFIB, Your Voice national survey, November 2022.
About Small Business Saturday®
Small Business Saturday is celebrated each year on the last Saturday in November, to champion shopping local at the start of the busy holiday shopping season. It is run by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, the country’s largest association of small and medium-sized businesses.
