Our top reasons for shopping at local businesses ahead of Small Business Saturday — plus find out how to win £10,000
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TOMORROW is Small Business Saturday, when shoppers are encouraged to buy local and see how much they can save.
Many consumers mistakenly believe they can always get a better deal at big-name stores, so here are eight great reasons to shop small.
- Ask for a discount: Small shop owners can be flexible on price in a way most big stores can’t. It’s often possible to get a ten per cent discount and sometimes to save up to half price if a small shop really wants to shift stock.
- Regulars get perks: Local businesses get to know you personally, so you may find you get freebies, a “thank you” gift voucher to spend at Christmas or even credit when you need it.
- Save time and money with better customer service: Local stores rely on their local reputation. You may even be dealing with the owner directly, making customer service simpler and quicker.
- Keeping cash local boosts your community: You’ll be investing money back into your neighbourhood.
- Local can be better value: Local shops cut out the middleman and if they are selling what they make direct, prices could even be cheaper.
- You don’t buy what you don’t need: Small businesses stock fewer items, so you won’t be tempted to splurge on extras.
- Save on parking: Many councils have allocated an hour’s free parking near small stores. Check what your council offers.
- Cash in: Shoppers paying with an American Express card will get a £5 statement credit each time they spend £10 or more at participating small businesses from tomorrow until December 17.
- Find which stores near you are taking part at .
Reader tip
KIERAN HOPKINS from Blackburn, West Lothian, says: “Use toothpaste and a soft brush to clean your diamond jewellery. It comes up perfect.”
- Send your tips to [email protected] and you’ll get 28 codes worth £5 if it is used. Please include your name and town.
Jane's tip
WE will waste around 9.5million glasses worth of prosecco over Christmas, owing to incorrect pouring and storing.
Find out how to get every last drop at .
- Send your tips to [email protected] and you’ll get 28 codes worth £5 if it is used. Please include your name and town.
TOP DEAL
STUDENTS, avoid train fares and get driven home for Christmas for free. MyUniDays and National Express are giving 200 students the chance to win their travel home from uni. See for more details.
Designer double
DON’T follow the flock. Swap these £145 Ugg Women’s Mini Classic II boots for the £39.95 Blackfox Waterproof Sheepskin-style ladies ankle boot from .
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Mini save
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Save big
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Save small
CHERRY-pick this cutie. Kipling Amiel medium handbag, in cherry pink at .
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NOW: £44.80
SAVE: £19.20
Fancy a free fiver?
YOU can get FREE cash with super Sun Savers just for buying your favourite paper.
Our brilliant new rewards club will pay back our most loyal readers.
Just pick up the paper each day to collect your Sun Savers codes and we will GIVE YOU £5 when you have collected 28.
This isn’t a one-off and there is no limit to how much cash you can save.
For every 28 codes you enter, we will give you a fiver. So over the course of a year, that could add up to £65.
We are keeping it super-simple. You don’t have to enter codes from consecutive days, so don’t worry if you forget a day or two.
Download our easy Sun Savers app and quickly scan your code using your smartphone. Or go online and enter your code at .
What is Sun Savers? Here's everything you need to know about our new rewards club
To get you on your way, join today and we will put a bonus £1 in your Sun Savers wallet tomorrow. And the good news doesn’t stop with free cash.
With Sun Savers, we give you the best hacks, deals and tips to save money every single day.
TO JOIN: Don’t worry, folks — joining takes just 30 seconds, in three steps.
All we’ll ask of you is your name, your date of birth and an email address to get you on the way to your first crisp fiver.
You can choose to save or cash out straight to your bank account or instantly with Paypal.
Don’t delay — join Sun Savers now!
MOST READ IN MONEY
Win £10k for Xmas
HAVE yourself a merry Christmas with our festive competition.
The Sun is giving you the chance to win one of five prizes of £10,000 cash to pay for your dream Christmas.
To be in with a chance of winning, simply sign up to Sun Savers either by downloading the app or visiting .
Then collect ten Sun Savers codes by Tuesday, December 5.
Once you have ten codes you will be prompted to enter the competition.
The closing date is Monday, December 18.
Terms and conditions
COLLECT TEN Sun Savers codes from the 18 printed in The Sun between Saturday, November 18 and Tuesday, December 5, 2017.
Last chance to join in is Monday, November 27.
Competition closes at 23:59 on Monday, December 18.
Over-18s, residents of the UK only. One entry per person.
Winners will be selected at random from all valid entries.
There will be FIVE winners of £10k only. Allow 28 days from entry closing for the draw to take place.
Winner will then be notified within seven days. No cash alternative to prize in whole or in part. Prize is non-transferable.
Your information will only be used for the purposes of this competition.
Promoter is News Group Newspapers Ltd. Not open to staff of the Promoter and promotional partner or their families.
The winners will be required to participate in reasonable publicity relating to this competition.
The Editor’s decision is final.