Governor Kay Ivey is urging Alabamians to support their hometown merchants during the holiday shopping season, officially proclaiming Saturday, November 29, 2025, as Small Business Saturday in Alabama.
In her proclamation, Ivey emphasized the pivotal role small businesses play in the state’s economy, noting that Alabama “believes small businesses are the backbone of our economy and the glue that holds communities together.”
The state is home to 465,610 small businesses, accounting for 99.4% of all Alabama businesses and employing 46% of the workforce, according to the U.S. Small Business Administration’s 2025 Small Business Profile.
Small businesses also bolster Alabama’s global trade footprint. More than 3,337 Alabama small businesses export goods worldwide, totaling $4.2 billion and accounting for 16.4% of the state’s exports.
Ivey connected Alabama’s focus on entrepreneurship with national efforts to strengthen American-made growth.
“Small businesses are the heart and hustle of Alabama. They create jobs, carry forward family legacies, and bring life to every Main Street from the Shoals to the Gulf of America,” said Governor Ivey. “As President Trump leads our country to renew its focus on American-made growth and cutting burdens for our job creators, Alabama will continue to do our part. I’m proud to proclaim November 29 as Small Business Saturday, and I’m asking Alabamians to pack the house for every shop, restaurant, and service provider from the top to bottom of our state.”
Leaders of small business organizations praised the proclamation, saying it highlights the job-creating power of local entrepreneurs.
“On behalf of our members, I want to thank Governor Ivey for recognizing the many contributions small businesses make to Alabama’s economy,” said Rosemary Elebash, Alabama state director for the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB). “Small businesses make up more than 99 percent of all businesses in our state and employ about 40 percent of our private-sector workforce.”
Elebash highlighted the economic ripple effect of Alabamians shopping locally.
“It’s estimated that 67 cents of every dollar spent at a small business stays in the local community. In addition, every dollar spent at a small business creates another 50 cents in local activity because employees spend their paychecks nearby and businesses buy goods and services from other local shops.
“Small Business Saturday is an opportunity to recognize the family-owned shops, restaurants, and service providers that keep Alabama’s economy strong. When Alabamians choose to shop locally, they’re supporting the jobs, services, and investments that keep our communities thriving.”
Janita Stewart, acting district director for the SBA Alabama District Office, encouraged residents to use the kickoff of the holiday shopping season to uplift locally owned stores.
“Thanksgiving is one of the most notable holidays, and most likely, each of us has something, maybe even many things, for which to be thankful,” said Stewart. “Right on the heels of Thanksgiving Day is Black Friday, and the following week will be kicked off with Cyber Monday. In between those days is what has come to be known as ‘Small Business Saturday,’ which kicks off the ‘Season of Small’ starting November 29th, a day set aside to celebrate and support small businesses and all they do for their communities.
“With the holiday season upon us and with Alabama small businesses gearing up for it, our local mom-and-pop shops, restaurants, boutiques, independent retailers, service providers and more, can maximize this opportunity by participating in Small Business Saturday and the Season of Small. We each can do our part as consumers by making it a point to support our local small businesses by shopping small.”
Small Business Saturday encourages residents to explore local retailers, dine at family-owned restaurants and invest in locally provided services that fuel community growth.
Sherri Blevins is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You may contact her at [email protected].
