The nation’s favourite small businesses have been revealed, showcasing the UK’s love for small firms ahead of Small Business Saturday.
The public is being urged to show support and spend with small businesses this weekend and beyond, as research from Small Business Saturday UK and its principal supporter American Express shows independent cafes and coffee shops, restaurants and takeaways, bakeries, bars and pubs and hair salons top the UK’s list of favourite small businesses.
- Cafes and coffee shops – loved by almost one third of Brits (32%)
- Independent restaurants and takeaways (21%)
- Bakeries (19%)
- Bars and pubs (16%)
- Hairdressers and barbers (15%)
- Convenience stores (13%)
- Bookshops (10%)
- Garden centres (10%)
- Gift shops (9%)
- Garages and mechanics (9%)
The research shows significant public support for all small businesses, with over half of Brits (58%) having a favourite small business. This reflects encouraging signs that UK Christmas spending with small businesses could rise by 19% this year – to £5.3 billion – potentially delivering a crucial boost, Small Business Saturday UK said.
Four in five Brits (84%) also believe it is important to support small firms, while 95% think they add value to local communities.
“It’s incredibly encouraging to hear that coffee shops are one of the nation’s favourite types of businesses,” said Kristian Cuffin, owner of Cuffed-in Coffee, which has three sites in Anglesey.
“We’re constantly blown away by the loyalty, warmth and support of our customers – they’re the reason we can do what we do. Small Business Saturday is a brilliant reminder of how important independent businesses are to local communities, and we’re really looking forward to celebrating with our customers on the day.”
In signs of an improved economic outlook, Small Business Saturday’s analysis found the nation could spend over £23 billion across the festive season – a 16% nominal rise on last year’s predictions. Over a quarter (28%) of Brits also expect to spend more on Christmas this year.2
On average Brits plan to spend one fifth (22%) of their seasonal spending with small businesses, representing £5.3 billion in potential gains for firms to tap into. This will be welcomed by the UK’s 5.6 million small businesses, many of which face ongoing challenges from rising costs and rely on ‘peak’ seasonal trade to sustain them throughout the year.
Ahead of the weekend campaigners are calling on the nation to support and spend with their favourite small businesses on Small Business Saturday (6 December) and beyond.
“Small businesses are the nation’s favourite businesses and they are essential to both their communities and the whole UK economy,” said Michelle Ovens CBE, Director, Small Business Saturday UK.
“This Small Business Saturday we would love to see everyone go out and support their favourite independents, whether on the high streets or online, and show entrepreneurs the public is backing them all the way.”
Taking place on 6 December this year, Small Business Saturday is a grassroots, not-for-profit campaign, which encourages the public to support and spend with small businesses.
Small Business Saturday was originally founded by American Express in the U.S. in 2010. American Express remains the principal supporter of the campaign in the UK. Over the time it has been running in the UK, the campaign has seen a growth in public support for small businesses with billions of pounds spent with small firms on Small Business Saturday.
Last year over 10 million Brits shopped small on Small Business Saturday, according to American Express, with a collective £634m spent on the day itself in-store and online in 2024, and average spend per person on the day rising to a level not seen since 2020.
