Small Retailers Enter Holiday Season Optimistic
Small Retailers Enter Holiday Season Optimistic
With Amazon and Walmart gearing up for the coming holiday season, competing on delivery speed and massive deals, small store owners may be fighting an uphill battle. Yet many of them are confident this stretch could makeânot breakâthem.
A Nov. 11 
from the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) shows that its small business optimism index dipped to 98.2 in October, down by 0.6 points from September, while remaining above its long-term average. The organizationâs chief economist, Bill Dunkelberg, attributed the slight decline in optimism to lower sales, reduced profits, and ongoing labor shortages.
Although the index remains above its 52-year average of 98âwhich Holly Wade, NFIBâs executive director of research, 
in a podcast as âan OK spaceâ for small businesses to be inâshe said declining profits are a challenge worth watching.
Meanwhile, online marketing platform Constant Contactâs .pdf
of nearly 2,000 small business owners shows that 77 percent of owners remain confident theyâll reach their revenue targets, despite challenges from inflation, tariffs, the government shutdown, and competition from larger retailers and online commerce.
Small business owners said that 10 percent to 50 percent of their annual sales stem from holiday purchases, according to the report.
An Uphill Battle
On the big retailer side, Amazon and Walmart are ramping up for the holiday season. Each held an early-season sales eventâAmazon Prime Big Deal Days 2025 and Walmart Deals Event 2025âin October to attract early-bird gift shoppers.
Both companies also announced schedules for their big holiday sales, with Amazonâs spanning from Nov. 20 through Dec. 1âcovering Black Friday week and Cyber Monday with deep discounts across categoriesâand Walmartâs having already kicked off on Nov. 14 and extending through Dec.âŻ1 in two major waves.
With online sales hitting a record 22.7 percent of total U.S. retail sales in 2024âand the share growing every year except one since the Commerce Department began tracking the metric in 2000, according to a Digital Commerce 360 
âfast delivery has become a key battleground for major retailers, particularly Amazon and Walmart.
Walmart executives said during the companyâs April 9 investment community .pdf
that the company is leveraging its far-reaching store network, along with its digital capabilities, to accelerate fast delivery.
CEO Doug McMillon, who is set to retire in early 2026, stated that the companyâs same-day delivery program currently reaches 93 percent of U.S. households. John Furner, CEO of Walmart U.S., meanwhile, said the company will âsoon be able toâ deliver to 95 percent of U.S. households in less than three hours.
Amazon said in February that its same-day delivery program 
plans to extend the service to 4,000 smaller cities, towns, and rural communities by yearâs end.
Meghan Cruz, vice president of advocacy and engagement at the National Retail Federation, told The Epoch Times that the holiday shopping season is one of the most crucial times of the year for small businesses.
âThese retailers operate on very thin margins, and this holiday season may make or break it for some small businesses that have been dealing with rising costs due to trade uncertainty,â Cruz said.
Mark Mathews, NRFâs chief economist and executive director of research, said in the report that although tariffs have put pressure on consumer prices, âretailers have tried to hold the line on prices given the uncertainty about trade policies.â He added that the economy has shown âsurprising resilience.â
For some small retailers, still-elevated inflation could be a challenge as they try to keep customers happy while supporting their bottom line.
âProfit margins for smaller retailers might have to be lower, and if tariffs increase, they have a choice whether or not to pass that along to the customer,â Van Carlson, founder and CEO at Idaho-based risk assessment firm SRA 831(b) Admin, told The Epoch Times. âHowever, competition still exists, and they might not have the option to increase prices.
âI think this year theyâll be cautious and less likely to make big money decisions,â Carlson said.
Michael Cramer, Andy LaPointe, and Roberta Perry, small retail store owners in three different states, acknowledged their disadvantage against the two retail giants but expressed confidence in their sales this holiday season.
Offer What Amazon Canât
For the past 26 years, Cramer has owned Adagio Teas, offering both loose and bagged teas in an assortment of flavors and varieties, as well as iced tea, teaware, tea cookies, scented candles, and gift sets. Based in Illinois, he also operates two brick-and-mortar stores located in Naperville and Skokie, and sells products online.
âI know I canât compete with Amazon on prices, so the question centers on what I can offer that Amazon canât,â he told The Epoch Times. âWe narrow down the best selections out there, and we rely on personalization. We understand what our customers are looking for and weâre able to meet those needs.â
As a small retailer with roots in the local community, Cramer said people always know where to find himâunlike faceless online-only retailers.
âPeople tend to be more stressed out during the holidays and often wonder if their packages will arrive on time and in good shape,â he noted.
He relies on emails and social media to get the word out about holiday sales and special promotions. Some of Adagio Teaâs bestselling gifts include pre-boxed sampler sets offering a selection of four different teas. Prices range from $14 to $19.
âThese are very affordable, but the way theyâre packaged makes them look much more expensive,â he said.
The main thing for small retailers, Cramer noted, is to focus on showing customers how theyâre different and what they can offer to personalize the shopperâs experience.
Andy LaPointe, owner of Travis Bay Farms in Michigan. Courtesy of Travis Bay Farms
LaPointe owns two retail locations for Traverse Bay Farms in Michigan, offering locally produced fruit juices, fruit-based dietary supplements, fruit salsa, dried fruit, barbecue sauces, preserves, and even cookbooks.
His Bellaire store opened in 2001, and his Elk Rapids outlet opened in 2011. Over the years, the business has won close to 40 national food awards.
âOur stores are uniqueâyou canât get this on Amazon or in âbig boxâ stores,â LaPointe told The Epoch Times. âWe use as many local ingredients as we can for our products, and I think thatâs something our customers really appreciate.â
Set on the banks of Lake Michigan, both locations are year-round tourist destinations. Nearby Traverse City is also known as the âCherry Capital of the World.â The area is the largest producer of tart cherries in the United States and home to the National Cherry Festival as well as other cherry-themed events.
âExperience Beats Convenienceâ
LaPointe often features salsa and jam tastings, as well as other product samplings, at both stores. While he does sell online, LaPointe noted that he has a loyal in-store customer following.
Part of his holiday sales strategy is transforming his stores into âmini holiday destinations,â complete with a train display, music, and product samples. âExperience beats convenience,â he said. âWhen shoppers feel the connection, they donât just buy, they belong.â
LaPointeâs âsecret weaponâ is the companyâs âtwo-bowl strategy.â Each store has two bowls by the checkout counters, with one offering an instant in-store discount and the other a coupon for a future date. The coupons can be used both in-house and online, and give customers a reason to return. âThis simple experience bridges the offline-to-online gap and creates what I call holiday loyalty momentum,â he said.
Roberta Perry, owner of ScrubzBody Skin Care at her Long Island, New York store. Courtesy of ScrubzBody Skin Care
Perry, who has owned ScrubzBody Skin Care in Farmingdale, New York, for almost 20 years, also emphasizes experience.
The Long Island shop carries homemade scrubs, along with body lotions, oils, eye creams, shampoos, conditioners, and other related products. While Perry also sells products online, her core customers look forward to shopping in the store, especially during the holiday season.
âWeâve done the same thing for yearsâour âbuy-one-get-one-freeâ sale on the Friday before Thanksgiving,â she told The Epoch Times. âOur customers go wild, and it starts our holiday season off with a bang.â
Many of her customers order online and pick up at the store, while others choose to visit in person for the experience.
Occasionally, the store will feature special events and themed parties. âPeople work hard for their money, and we want to give them the experience, not just the products,â Perry said.
Perry is reluctant to compete with every other retailer on Black Friday, so this year, Nov. 21 will be the firmâs big sale day. Because itâs the week before Thanksgiving, Perry said people are less stressed, and there is no competition with Black Friday.
On Cyber Monday, the company offers free shipping, and by early December, most of Perryâs regular customers have already finished their holiday shopping.
âItâs just mind-blowing what this sale has turned into over the years,â Perry said. âWe make enough money to cover us for months like January, when sales are really slow.â
Local Relationship Key
Tami Cannizzaro, chief marketing officer at Thryv, a small business software firm, deals with more than 100,000 small business owners throughout the country. The companyâs main focus is to help small retailers get found online and turn leads into customers.
âItâs really important for small retailers to leverage that local relationship with their customers,â she told The Epoch Times. âNational retailers cannot compete with that, especially when thereâs an element of personal service.â
Cannizzaro suggests incorporating events such as small business shopping days along with other local retailers or âresidents onlyâ shopping days.
âThis will make hyper-local people feel special and will also create an experience for them,â she said. Many of her clients have adopted special events such as âWine Around Wednesdays,â where shops will offer wine and cheese while customers browse.
For the holidays, Cannizzaro recommends involving the local high school by inviting student singing groups that will bring in parents and friends. Inviting local artists or musicians is another way of creating an experience that customers wonât find online or in larger retail outlets.
âWhile the objective is to bring people into the store, retailers canât ignore their online presence,â Cannizzaro said. âThey need to make sure their website is optimized so that they can be found easily, and also ensure that all of their information is up-to-date.â
Best Deals Often Found in Stores
According to a recent 
 involving more than 1,000 U.S. consumers, only 22 percent responded that they plan to shop exclusively in-store this holiday season, while more than 65 percent intend to shop both online and in-store.
âThese hybrid trends could give smaller retailers an advantage, especially if they offer a flexible shopping experience,â Michael Podolsky, CEO and founder, told The Epoch Times.
Despite the high number of proposed online shoppers, the survey also discovered that more than 44 percent of shoppers admitted they have often found the best holiday shopping deals in stores.
âThis is good news for brick-and-mortar retailers,â Podolsky added. âThey can attract value-conscious customers through unique promotions, loyalty programs, and targeted discounts.â
Thu, 11/27/2025 - 15:30
The Epoch Times
Small Retailers Enter Holiday Season Optimistic
A report shows that 10 percent to 50 percent of U.S. small businessesâ annual sales come from holiday purchases.
A Nov. 11 NFIB - NFIB Small Business Association
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NFIB released its October 2025 SBET survey, which showed the Small Business Optimism Index declined 0.6 points in October to 98.2.
NFIB - NFIB Small Business Association
Small Business by the Numbers Podcast - NFIB
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Andy LaPointe, owner of Travis Bay Farms in Michigan. Courtesy of Travis Bay Farms
LaPointe owns two retail locations for Traverse Bay Farms in Michigan, offering locally produced fruit juices, fruit-based dietary supplements, fruit salsa, dried fruit, barbecue sauces, preserves, and even cookbooks.
His Bellaire store opened in 2001, and his Elk Rapids outlet opened in 2011. Over the years, the business has won close to 40 national food awards.
âOur stores are uniqueâyou canât get this on Amazon or in âbig boxâ stores,â LaPointe told The Epoch Times. âWe use as many local ingredients as we can for our products, and I think thatâs something our customers really appreciate.â
Set on the banks of Lake Michigan, both locations are year-round tourist destinations. Nearby Traverse City is also known as the âCherry Capital of the World.â The area is the largest producer of tart cherries in the United States and home to the National Cherry Festival as well as other cherry-themed events.
âExperience Beats Convenienceâ
LaPointe often features salsa and jam tastings, as well as other product samplings, at both stores. While he does sell online, LaPointe noted that he has a loyal in-store customer following.
Part of his holiday sales strategy is transforming his stores into âmini holiday destinations,â complete with a train display, music, and product samples. âExperience beats convenience,â he said. âWhen shoppers feel the connection, they donât just buy, they belong.â
LaPointeâs âsecret weaponâ is the companyâs âtwo-bowl strategy.â Each store has two bowls by the checkout counters, with one offering an instant in-store discount and the other a coupon for a future date. The coupons can be used both in-house and online, and give customers a reason to return. âThis simple experience bridges the offline-to-online gap and creates what I call holiday loyalty momentum,â he said.
Roberta Perry, owner of ScrubzBody Skin Care at her Long Island, New York store. Courtesy of ScrubzBody Skin Care
Perry, who has owned ScrubzBody Skin Care in Farmingdale, New York, for almost 20 years, also emphasizes experience.
The Long Island shop carries homemade scrubs, along with body lotions, oils, eye creams, shampoos, conditioners, and other related products. While Perry also sells products online, her core customers look forward to shopping in the store, especially during the holiday season.
âWeâve done the same thing for yearsâour âbuy-one-get-one-freeâ sale on the Friday before Thanksgiving,â she told The Epoch Times. âOur customers go wild, and it starts our holiday season off with a bang.â
Many of her customers order online and pick up at the store, while others choose to visit in person for the experience.
Occasionally, the store will feature special events and themed parties. âPeople work hard for their money, and we want to give them the experience, not just the products,â Perry said.
Perry is reluctant to compete with every other retailer on Black Friday, so this year, Nov. 21 will be the firmâs big sale day. Because itâs the week before Thanksgiving, Perry said people are less stressed, and there is no competition with Black Friday.
On Cyber Monday, the company offers free shipping, and by early December, most of Perryâs regular customers have already finished their holiday shopping.
âItâs just mind-blowing what this sale has turned into over the years,â Perry said. âWe make enough money to cover us for months like January, when sales are really slow.â
Local Relationship Key
Tami Cannizzaro, chief marketing officer at Thryv, a small business software firm, deals with more than 100,000 small business owners throughout the country. The companyâs main focus is to help small retailers get found online and turn leads into customers.
âItâs really important for small retailers to leverage that local relationship with their customers,â she told The Epoch Times. âNational retailers cannot compete with that, especially when thereâs an element of personal service.â
Cannizzaro suggests incorporating events such as small business shopping days along with other local retailers or âresidents onlyâ shopping days.
âThis will make hyper-local people feel special and will also create an experience for them,â she said. Many of her clients have adopted special events such as âWine Around Wednesdays,â where shops will offer wine and cheese while customers browse.
For the holidays, Cannizzaro recommends involving the local high school by inviting student singing groups that will bring in parents and friends. Inviting local artists or musicians is another way of creating an experience that customers wonât find online or in larger retail outlets.
âWhile the objective is to bring people into the store, retailers canât ignore their online presence,â Cannizzaro said. âThey need to make sure their website is optimized so that they can be found easily, and also ensure that all of their information is up-to-date.â
Best Deals Often Found in Stores
According to a recent PissedConsumer
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