As Small Business Saturday approaches, Seattle officials and local organizations are rallying residents to shop local in hopes of bolstering struggling small businesses amid rising costs and economic uncertainty.
Small Business Saturday, launched in 2010 by American Express to support local economies during the Great Recession, takes place the Saturday after Thanksgiving. The event aims to redirect consumer spending from big-box stores and online giants to neighborhood shops and services.
According to the Seattle Office of Economic Development, every $100 spent at a local small business recirculates about $48 back into the community—generating over three times the local wealth compared to national chains. But as economic pressures mount, these small enterprises are in dire need of support.
“Small businesses are the backbone of our economy and they are struggling right now due to rising costs across the board and an uncertain economy,” said Office of Economic Development Director Markham McIntyre. “Supporting our local stores on Small Business Saturday is a great way for people to explore neighborhoods, discover unique locally produced products, and help out our fabulous small businesses.”
Seattle’s operating costs are steadily rising. The city’s minimum wage is set to reach $21.30 in 2026, one of the highest in the nation. Inflation remains top of mind for small business owners, with a U.S. Chamber of Commerce report in April showing 58% of them citing it as their leading concern.
Social enterprise Intentionalist estimates that if every adult in Washington shifts just $50 in holiday spending to local businesses, nearly $300 million could flow into local economies statewide.
The Downtown Seattle Association noted a year-over-year increase in local visitors each month of 2025, with December expected to draw the highest foot traffic. Small Business Saturday could set the pace for a hopeful holiday season and a stronger 2026 for Seattle’s small business community.
