Indie retailer picked for annual 100-day countdown to Small Business Saturday
Maybugs has been named as one of the UK’s 100 most impressive small firms with the greetings and gift retailer’s appearance in this year’s SmallBiz100.
The annual 100-day countdown to Small Business Saturday kicked off on Friday, 25 August, featuring a different company each day to highlight how much small businesses contribute to the country.
Maybugs’ co-owners Greg Rose and John Dale will be highlighted with their trio of stores, in Hailsham, Eastbourne and Bexhill-On-Sea, on 24 September, for the 2023 SmallBiz100 – the only indie greetings and gift shop picked for the honour this year.
Two other businesses chosen do have greeting cards among their offer, with Bristol-based Independent Design Collective, which sells local artists’ works and cards including James Ellis, The Flower Girl Studios, Holly Flowers and Carla James, on 17 November, and 26 October will highlight The Cotswold Eco Company, where Jen Winnett Art’s designs are for sale.
“We are over the moon that we’ve been selected as one of the 100 most inspirational businesses around the UK!” Greg and John said. “We can’t wait to celebrate and connect with the other 99 amazing businesses. Well done to our amazing team, and thank you for the continued support of all our fabulous customers.”
The indie retailer has been involved in a number of community activities, including a free parking campaign last Christmas which saw over 800 shoppers claim back their parking charges from Maybugs which also benefited other retailers.
And it recently opened an artisan market as a permanent fixture on the first floor of its Eastbourne outlet, with different products and traders from week to week, including greetings and stationery alongside handmade jewellery, printed textiles, vintage silk flowers, hand-painted glass, oil paintings, scented candles and wax melts.
Greg explained: “John and I desperately wanted to do something for all the small local producers who have struggled in the current climate to get their product into retail.”
Small Business Saturday is the UK’s most successful small business campaign, which takes place each year on the first weekend in December, celebrating small businesses and encouraging consumers to shop small and support businesses in their communities.
Originally founded by American Express in the US in 2010, the company is still the grassroots non-commercial campaign’s principal supporter as it moves into its second decade in the UK,
And organisers are stressing the need for ongoing support from the support for small businesses, as they face serious challenges from the cost-of-living crisis, on top of prolonged challenges.
On Small Business Saturday, customers across the UK go out and support all types of small businesses, from independent shops and restaurants to small service and b2b-based firms like accountants and plumbers. Many take an active role in promoting the day by hosting events and offering promotions.
“The fantastic small businesses featured in this year’s SmallBiz100 sum up the phenomenal contribution that small firms make to our economy and local communities,” said Michelle Ovens cbe, director of Small Business Saturday UK.
“It continues to be really tough out there in the economy for small businesses, so there is a huge need to celebrate our incredible small business economy and throw our arms around them. Small Business Saturday remains a critical and powerful way for the public to do this.”
