12 Small Business Saturday Promotion Ideas
updated
September 25, 2025
Recent data from the U.S. Small Business Administration shows that more than 36.2 million small businesses are operating in the United States. Small businesses fuel the domestic economy, so it’s only fair that they receive an annual celebration where customers shop small, showing their appreciation by opening their wallets.
What is Small Business Saturday?
Small Business Saturday (SBS) is an annual event created by American Express in 2010 that encourages consumers to shop at and support local businesses.
While not at the same scale as Black Friday or Cyber Monday revenue-wise, it’s still a day that has yielded more than $201 billion in sales since its inception 15 years ago.
When is Small Business Saturday in 2025?
This year, Small Business Saturday will occur on November 29, 2025—the day after Black Friday.
Small Business Saturday occurs annually on the Saturday following Thanksgiving. It’s an opportunity to step out of the shadows of those big-box stores and directly reach and retain new and existing customers.
Here are 12 of the most popular Small Business Saturday promotion ideas you’ll need to prepare for the big day.
12 Top Small Business Saturday Promotion Ideas
1. Create Hype Around Small Business Saturday on Social Media
Gone are the days of advertising an event exclusively by word of mouth. Meeting your consumers on social media channels is critical to getting the word out about your Small Business Saturday events.
Besides keeping your social accounts up to date with events and deals leading up to the big day, you can expand your reach with the appropriate hashtags, including:
- #SmallBusinessSaturday
- #Shoplocal
- #Shopsmall
- #Supportsmallbusiness
Also, take advantage of social media custom giveaways, encouraging the public to share your event and visit your shop for a chance to win.
2. Host Pre-Launch Events to Stir up Excitement
The run-up to Small Business Saturday is an ideal time to stir excitement and drive sales. Consider hosting a handful of pre-launch events to bring customers through the door.
Consider planning one day or a whole week of the following events in the run-up to SBS:
- Super Saver Sunday with door-buster deals and custom giveaways on hand
- Money-Saving Monday, featuring a limited-time discount for all customers
- Tapas Tuesday, offering custom drinkware and a range of Tapas-style foods.
- Wednesday Winners, including an hourly raffle for popular gift boxes like the Pamper Me Set or the Let’s Get Saucy – Italian Gourmet Kit.
- Treasure-Chest Thursday, where every customer can choose from a stock of popular branded products.
- Friday Freebies, offering customers a free custom product with every purchase, such as custom self-care products or personalized reusable shopping bags.
3. Offer Exclusive Small Business Saturday Discounts
While Small Business Saturday only comes once a year, you could offer exclusive discounts throughout November. Doing this will create a steady buzz in the run-up to the event and make customers even more excited to visit your shop at the end of November.
4. Team up With Other Small Businesses
No small business is an island unto itself. Sometimes, teaming up with other businesses is necessary to combine and maximize resources/talent, giving your collective customers even more to look forward to.
We recommend the following when joining forces with other small businesses for the event:
- Strive for a balance between collaboration and individuality.
- During joint pre-launch and on-the-day events, stand out with custom tablecloths and runners.
- Design custom joint backdrops and banners for a more professional aesthetic.
5. Reward Customer Referrals
Your customers are your best brand ambassadors. Recruit them to help you promote Small Business Saturday by rewarding them for every referral. You can create a tiered-reward system where X number of referrals equal a specific prize.
For instance, one referral to your grand-opening Small Business Saturday event could mean an extra 15% off for your customer. Whereas, five or more referrals means they’ll take home popular tech accessories or practical travel accessories.
6. Load up on Branded Freebies for Small Business Saturday
Brace yourself for increased traffic on Small Business Saturday. With perhaps even more customers than usual, consider making the day more special with branded freebies to pair with each purchase for customers to remember the day by.
We recommend stocking up on practical and affordable giveaways, such as:
7. Design Custom Small Business Saturday Apparel for Staff
Small Business Saturday is an opportunity to outfit your staff with new, custom apparel to celebrate the day. Take the opportunity to design a specialty logo on:
8. Donate a Percentage of Sales to a Local Charity
Supporting a local charity or cause is an effective way to give back all year. To do so with the revenue you bring in from Small Business Saturday makes your charitable effort a collaborative one for you and your customers.
Maximize your donation by:
- Encouraging your social media followers to share your posts about giving back
- Committing to donation matching
- Incentivizing additional donations by rewarding donors with branded gifts that give back
9. Get Influencers on Board to Spread the Word
When it comes to bringing in new customers, it takes all hands on deck. Leverage your social network by locating key influencers who can spread the word about your Small Business Saturday events this year.
Of course, influencers always appreciate a trade in exchange for their time and platform. Consider offering your chosen influencers the following:
- An assortment of branded gifts, so that they can do a live unboxing for their followers
- Access to exclusive VIP events
- A range of custom giveaways to offer their followers who shop at your store
Also, take advantage of social media custom giveaways, encouraging the public to share your event and visit your shop for a chance to win.
10. Set up a Small Business Saturday Pop-up Tent for Loyal Customers
The end of November means fall weather is in full swing in many areas of the USA. The more everyone can get outdoors before the long winter months, the better. Why not set up a custom outdoor pop-up tent for your most loyal customers? There, you can let them in on exclusive Small Business Saturday events and deals, while also giving them cozy autumn vibes by:
- Creating an inviting outdoor venue with custom tablecloths and banners in fall colors
- Concocting a warm VIP drink or cocktail
- Selling limited-edition, custom long-sleeve T-shirts
11. Make Small Business Saturday a Family-Friendly Event
While discounts and deals appeal to those with purchasing power, their family members may be tagging along on Small Business Saturday. Make it a family-friendly event by offering:
- Kid-friendly snacks, such as Sweet & Salty Snack Packs or Snack Trays
- Fun promotional outdoor games, like the Ladder Ball Toss Game and the Giant Checkers Game Set.
- Fun freebies like branded stress balls or custom push pop fidget toys
12. Raffle off Customized Products for Small Business Saturday
Create a memorable Small Business Saturday this year by raffling off popular customized products your customers will love. We suggest choosing items they’ll be willing to take a chance on, such as:
Ready to Celebrate Small Business Saturday with Promotional Items from Crestline?
Small businesses make up the fabric of the US economy. Customers are not only eager to connect with your business once a year, but all year long.
Crestline’s Small Business Saturday promotion ideas will help you bring customers through the door and keep them coming back long after.
Contact Crestline today and discover how to grow your small business with promotional items, swag, and merch.
