As the peak shopping season kicks off this week, don’t forget to shop small.

It’s a strategy we should apply not just this time of year but all year long.

This Saturday is Small Business Saturday, the initiative launched several years ago to encourage consumers to support locally-owned retailers during the busy holiday shopping season. This year, as many small businesses across our state are still feeling the impact of September’s Hurricane Helene, local cents really do add up.

So if you’re traveling, seek out small retailers when you venture out of town. Even it it’s not the local community you’re supporting, you are supporting a community and a small business that could really use it.

Small businesses are the backbone of our economy. According to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, there are 33.2 million small businesses in the U.S. and they make up 99% of all businesses. For the past 20 years, small businesses have accounted for roughly 40% of the United States’ gross domestic output (GDP), which equates to trillions of dollars of economic activity.

Remember that every little bit counts, making it possible for local employees to remain on their jobs and generating sales tax dollars that are utilized in the local community.

So make a conscious effort to go small and go local whenever you can. A gift card to a locally-owned retailer here, and a few stocking stuffers there — really add up.

Independently owned and operated businesses are a part of the lifeblood of any neighborhood and community, providing jobs and helping propel the local economic engine.

Sustaining our support for local businesses does wonders for the economy here at home, not to mention the added convenience. Chances are we don’t typically know the employees at the big box stores or malls when we frequent stores located out of town, but there’s often a very good chance we know the owners and employees of the local stores. Plus, local small business owners know their merchandise and are more familiar with the products they sell. When we shop local, it’s more likely that we’re dealing with a business owner who stands behind the products he or she sells and cares very much about pleasing customers in hopes that they return again and again throughout the year. Every sale made directly impacts their bottom line — both professionally and personally.

Save gas, save time and gain reassurance in knowing that the dollars you spend locally have a lasting impact locally as well, and that the businesses they go to support add to the qualities and characteristics that make our unique and ideal.

Support the local businesses that support this community. As they rise to success, so, too, does the community at-large.

Do what you can, spend when you can and support locally-owned businesses and small retailers.