Independent retailers and brands around the country took part this year’s Small Business Saturday – an event first originally created in the US to counterbalance Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
Joining the celebrations, London’s iconic Berwick Street hosted an experiential Christmas market championing British artists and local businesses.
Ocean conservation organisation Project 0 sold its limited-edition reusable water bottles and tote bags designed by the likes of Rita Ora, Ronnie Wood and HRH Princess Eugenie of York. Artists from University of the Arts London collective Made in Arts London sold handmade jewellery, prints, vases and sculptures and London artist Luke Smile created bespoke monogrammed frames. In addition, British designer’s collective We Built This City showcased its Queen collection ‘We Will Rock Yule’ to celebrate the recent Carnaby Street light installation, along with its best-selling Soho themed prints and gifts.
Karen Baines, head of group marketing and communications at Shaftesbury, comments: “The Soho Christmas Market is a celebration of London’s creativity, music, food and art on the iconic Berwick Street Market. The community spirit of Soho is about coming together to celebrate individuality and creativity.”
To help boost this year’s Small Business Saturday campaign, American Express – the corporate giant that helped establish the event back in 2010 – is offering cardholders £5 credit when they spend £10 or more at participating businesses until 16 December.
Now in its sixth year, Small Business Saturday is the UK’s most successful small business campaign, generating an estimated £748 million for local businesses when it took place across the country last year.