42% of Consumers Plan to Shop on Small Business Saturday. Here's Why You Should, Too

It's an event worth adding to your calendar.

The holidays aren't quite here yet, but they're right around the corner. And that means now's the time to start making your shopping plans. Wait too long, and you might run out of time to check all of your must-have gift items off your list.

Now when it comes to holiday shopping, you have choices. You could plan to load up at a big-box store like Target and Walmart, and you can look to Amazon for its host of deals. You may even want to consider doing some of your holiday shopping at Costco, as that could result in a lower credit card tab.

But while shopping at all of these retailers might result in a nice amount of savings, there's another type of store you should put on your list for holiday purchases -- your local businesses. In fact, Small Business Saturday -- the Saturday after Thanksgiving -- is a day when consumers commonly rally to shop locally.

In a recent survey by RetailMeNot, 42% of respondents said they plan to participate in Small Business Saturday. And here are a few reasons you should join them.

1. You might get goods that are higher in quality

Small businesses don't sell goods in mass quantities like big-box stores do. As such, they generally can't offer the same steep discounts. And so you might end up spending a little bit more money at a local business than you would buying from a larger chain. But what you lose in the form of a higher price tag on the items you're buying, you might gain in the form of higher quality.

Let's say you're looking to buy a $30 sweater at Target. A comparable one at your local boutique clothing store might cost $50. But that $50 sweater might also last for years, whereas the Target one might start to unravel after 12 months.

2. You might get much better customer service

Small business owners and employees tend to really value customers -- and show it via excellent service. Now this isn't to say that you won't get great service at a larger chain store. But the service you get on Small Business Saturday might be unparalleled.

3. It's important to have a thriving business community

Small businesses do a lot for neighborhoods. Some give back in the form of donations to school fundraisers or sponsoring local sports teams. Many create local jobs. And the more local businesses you have in close proximity, the more desirable your neighborhood becomes. That could lend to a higher home value.

But small businesses need support in order to succeed. And so that's reason enough to participate in Small Business Saturday -- and to tell your friends to join you and do the same.

Don't just shop locally for a single weekend

Taking part in Small Business Saturday could benefit you and the businesses in your town. But don't just shop locally as a one-time thing. Instead, pledge to continue supporting local establishments so they're able to stick around for the long haul.