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CurrentTrends

Where Small Businesses are Thriving

1 Mins read

We all know how important small businesses are—and have long been—to the U.S.
economy. But many small business owners don’t feel they receive the support they
need and deserve.

A few months ago, Adobe Express released a report on the cities that most support
small and minority-owned businesses. Adobe analyzed online search trends and
surveyed shoppers to determine the “trends, behaviors, and preferences that shape
small business support.”

Top Cities Supporting Small Businesses

Top 5 cities supporting small businesses in general:

  1. Atlanta
  2. Minneapolis
  3. Miami
  4. Tampa
  5. Baltimore

Top 5 cities supporting minority-owned businesses:

  1. Atlanta
  2. Minneapolis
  3. Baltimore
  4. Washington, D.C.
  5. Miami

Top 5 cities supporting women-owned businesses:

  1. Atlanta
  2. Washington, D.C.
  3. Minneapolis
  4. Miami
  5. Tampa

Top 5 cities supporting Black-owned businesses:

  1. Atlanta
  2. Minneapolis
  3. Baltimore
  4. Miami
  5. Boston

Top 5 cities supporting Latino-owned businesses:

  1. Minneapolis
  2. Miami
  3. Dallas
  4. Tampa
  5. Atlanta

Top 5 cities supporting Asian-owned businesses:

  1. Washington, D.C.
  2. Atlanta
  3. Raleigh
  4. Minneapolis
  5. Denver

Top 5 cities supporting LBGTQ+-owned businesses:

  1. Minneapolis
  2. Atlanta
  3. Washington, D.C.
  4. Tampa
  5. Denver

Who is Shopping?

Altogether, 78% of Americans regularly shop at small businesses, spending an average of $128 a month. And 64% say they’re “actively seeking” to support local businesses.

Among the generations, millennials (80%) most “regularly shop” at small businesses, followed by Gen X (78%), Gen Z (75%), and baby boomers (69%). More men (81%) than women (75%) are regular small business shoppers.

Why Americans Support Small Businesses

The report shows the top reasons Americans are small business supporters.

  • Boosting the local economy—64%
  • Seeking unique products—47%
  • Higher quality of goods—43%
  • Sense of community connections—40%
  • Personalized customer service—34%
  • Appreciation for craftsmanship—31%
  • Preserving local culture—29%

How Consumers Discover Small Businesses

One key to small business success is attracting customers. The report reveals the top ways potential customers find small businesses. It is a good guide to where you should consider spending your marketing dollars.

  1. Friends
  2. Online reviews
  3. Family
  4. Community events
  5. Facebook
  6. Instagram
  7. Local newspaper ads
  8. Local news station
  9. TikTok
  10. YouTube

Rieva Lesonsky is CEO of GrowBiz Media, a media and custom content company focusing on small business and entrepreneurship. Email Rieva at rieva@smallbusinesscurrents.com, follow her on Twitter @Rieva, and visit her website SmallBusinessCurrents.com to get the scoop on business trends and sign up for Rieva’s free Currents newsletter.

Atlanta stock image by Sean Pavone/Shutterstock

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