American Express gets behind Small Business Saturday

The Barber Club, an independent Brighton barber shop based in Bartholomews, is part of a push to encourage people to ‘shop small’ ahead of Small Business Saturday (December 1).

Founded by Dimitri Loizi, following almost 20 years in the hairdressing industry, The Barber Club has become a mainstay for Brighton locals since opening its doors in 2017.

Offering haircuts and shaves with a whisky on the side, in a distinctively retro-inspired space, its popularity among their loyal customer base has continued to grow.

And Brighton and Hove Albion’s Glenn Murray showed his support for Small Business Saturday, visiting The Flour Pot, 85-90 The Arches.

To celebrate Small Business Saturday the American Express Shop Small initiative enables Cardmembers to earn a £5 statement credit on £10 spend at participating Shop Small businesses, including The Flour Pot, between and December 1 and 16.

The day, founded by American Express and of which it is principal supporter, is a grassroots, campaign, which highlights small business success and encourages consumers to support their local independents.

Caroline Bouvet, VP, American Express, said: “Small businesses play a vital role within their local communities and their agile nature ensures they are able to adapt and respond to changing consumer demand. We have a long history of working with small businesses and hope the rest of the country joins us in showing appreciation for them by shopping small this Small Business Saturday.”

American Express commissioned research, conducted by retail experts GlobalData found that, despite recent high street closures, the future is bright for independent retailers who are willing to adapt to changing consumer demands.

The research identified the key categories expected to show significant growth from now to 2023, once of which was barbers, which is predicted to grow by 22 per cent.

Maureen Hinton, Global Retail Research Director at GlobalData, said: “What’s encouraging about this research is that it shows modern high streets are evolving to keep pace with consumer demands.

“The growth of online has also made the high street’s role as a service-led, social space increasingly important, encouraging the rise of hybrid businesses, with shops, gyms and cinemas now often boasting their own bars, coffee shops and restaurants.

“Meanwhile, new categories of business continue to emerge, such as “experience bars”, which combine a night out, with a complete entertainment experience, centred on an activity, such as darts, mini golf or table tennis. There is no doubt that the high street is in a period of unprecedented change, but the rise of new businesses such as these, demonstrates that this is as much an opportunity as a challenge.”

The American Express Shop Small research comes ahead of Small Business Saturday, which takes place on December 1 this year.