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Small Business Saturday important for independently-owned retailers

Flickr Creative Commons | Mike G

The day after Black Friday is getting a bit more buzz.

The National Federation of Independent Business reports Americans spent about $16 billion at local merchants on Small Business Saturday last year.

That was up 14% over the previous year.

"When people know about Small Business Saturday they’re actually voting with their feet and their pocketbooks,” said Brad Jones, NFIB Missouri state director.

A survey conducted by NFIB found that 95 million Americans reported shopping at small retailers last year on Small Business Saturday.

Jones said it’s a good way for residents to give back to their local retailers.

“The small business folks are the ones that put the jerseys on the little league teams and put on the 5Ks and they support so many things in the community,” he said. “This is really a great day to get out and say thank you very much. I’m going to shop small.”

NFIB is partnering with American Express on a national campaign for Small Business Saturday again this year. The two organizations have done so since 2010.

Follow Maria on Twitter: @radioaltman

Maria is the newscast, business and education editor for St. Louis Public Radio.