JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Small Business Saturday is of big importance this year more so compared to others.
Delays at ports and a nationwide trucker shortage have left stores struggling.
“Black Friday sales, Black Friday deals have just kind of (gone) down. They haven’t improved,” Beau Outfitters employee Hallie Dixson said.
Shipping delays and price increases are affecting small businesses around the country and in San Marco.
“We have had shipping (price) increases. We have had some of our product, (its) price has increased as well as the shipping per item,” Beau Outfitters owner April Dixson said.
Local business owners want you to think like this: you can buy local or say bye-bye to local.
“Support your local people because they do so much for the community,” The Wardroom LTD proprietor Forrest Brewer said.
Business owners said if you see something you want, buy it now. Your favorite gifts and toys may be hard to come by in a few weeks.
“The problem is there will be no reorders. What we have I’ve already phoned most of my resources and they say this is it. So, that’s why I put the signs up in the store that said you better buy it now,” Brewer said.
Local authors set up shop this Small Business Saturday. The supply chain shortage is also affecting their line of work.
“People that are printing overseas are now looking for USA-based printers so what used to take 6-8 weeks is now taking 8-16,” local author Becky Cummings said.
As the holiday shopping season officially takes flight, small business owners remind customers it’s just them behind the counter and stocking the shelves.
“This is a family business. This supports my family. This supports our partner’s family,” April Dixson said.
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