The National Federation of Independent Business issued a statement urging shoppers to patronize small businesses on Small Business Saturday, Nov. 26. The Saturday after Thanksgiving is earmarked as a day dedicated to mom-and-pop shops across the nation. The organization also wanted to remind consumers that they should support small businesses every day of the year — especially after the mandated shutdowns from the COVID-19 pandemic, followed by supply chain challenges, inflation, and their biggest problem right now: trouble finding qualified workers. According to a recent NFIB study, labor remains the top concern for small business owners, with 46% reporting job openings they couldn’t fill. Additionally, NFIB’s small business optimism index remains below the 48-year average thanks to inflation, supply chain issues, and skepticism of the economic future.
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