SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - The state's top trade group for Main Street shops is offering tips to retailers for "Small Business Saturday."
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The National Federation of Independent Businesses says the Saturday after Thanksgiving is the day for shoppers to find unique gifts and support friends and neighbors. Officials say it's also a respite from shopping-mall madness a day earlier on Black Friday.
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NFIB tips for success include downloading "Shop Small" signs, aggressive social media use, showcasing gift items and offering special deals at different times of the day.
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A survey last year by NFIB and American Express found that 108 million shoppers spent $13 billion at independent stores and restaurants on the Saturday after Thanksgiving.
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NFIB state director Mark Grant says the event is a way to attract customers and keep them coming back.
