As the annual campaign kicks off its call to celebrate and support the nation’s favourite businesses, West Lothian online pregnancy support platform AlignBirth, Alloa Ballet Company in Clackmannanshire and Glasgow’s sustainable innovation business Project Harmless are among firms from across the country featured in this year’s ‘Small Biz 100’ line-up of the UK’s most innovative and admired small businesses.

Each business will be showcased as part of a 100-day countdown to Small Business Saturday on 6 December. The campaign aims to celebrate and uplift independent firms by encouraging the public to support and spend with small businesses.

After a national search, this year’s SmallBiz100 line-up includes an array of small firms from across the UK. Other small businesses featured from Scotland include:

• Ablekids Press - an independent Inverness-based publisher and bookshop founded by Pauline Mackay, specialising in children’s bilingual books and local history, stocking one of Scotland’s finest Gaelic selections.
• AYT Foods – Fife’s first Afro-Caribbean grocery store. Founded by Temitope Ajayi-Salami in 2023 and fostering community through a culturally sensitive food bank and local partnerships.
• Breagha By Nic - Sterling independent gift shop showcasing handmade items from over 70 small creative businesses, alongside jewellery and art prints made by founder Nicola McGowan.
• Brilliantly Brave - Moray based greeting card and wall art company, founded by Jean Pryde, which re-invests all profits into community-led mental health support.
• Sarah Longfield - a creative business coach in Glasgow who helps artists and entrepreneurs get unstuck, shape strategy, and take meaningful action.
• Shine Books - inclusive children’s series created by Jo North that celebrates diversity, based in Kirknewton ,West-Lothian.
• Warrior In Training - expert-led Pilates in Paisley, founded by Ceza Ouzounian, focusing on mindful movement, with classes and workshops and online.

Despite signs small business confidence is returning, the UK’s 5.45 million small firms continue to face an array of economic challenges. Campaigners say public support will be vital for small businesses heading into the final critical peak period of the year and essential to powering much-needed economic growth.

“Small businesses are the nation’s favourite businesses – bringing immeasurable value to our local communities and powering the wider economy,” said Michelle Ovens CBE, Director of Small Business Saturday UK.  

“From family-run cafés and local restaurants, to independent makers, services and traders, this year’s SmallBiz100 represents some of the UK’s most-loved small businesses. It is exciting to kick of​f this year’s campaign with so many fantastic businesses from across Scotland featured. With small firms still facing lots of challenges​, public support makes all the difference as independent firms enter their most critical quarter of the year.”

Small Business Saturday is a grassroots non-commercial campaign that was originally founded by American Express in the U.S. in 2010, and the brand remains the campaign’s principal supporter in the UK.

Dan Edelman, General Manager, UK Merchant Services at American Express, said: “Through our long-standing support of Small Business Saturday, American Express is proud to champion the nation’s small businesses. Congratulations to this year’s SmallBiz100, which once again showcases the incredible vibrancy and innovation of small firms and the valuable contribution they make to local communities.”

Optimism among the UK’s small and medium-sized businesses has grown for a third consecutive year, according to American Express’ ‘SME Barometer’ research conducted in partnership with Small Business Saturday, which surveyed decision makers at 1,000 UK small and medium sized businesses. Almost seven in 10 (69%) say they are confident about the future of their company — rising from 67% in 2023 and 65% in 2022. There are also encouraging signs when looking ahead to the remainder of the year; almost three-fifths of respondents (57%) believe sales will be better this year than in Q4 2024.

Small Business Saturday is the UK’s most successful small business campaign. Over the decade it has been running in the UK it has engaged millions of people and seen billions of pounds spent with small businesses across the UK on Small Business Saturday, with an impact that lasts all year round.

“We are absolutely thrilled to have been chosen as part of the SmallBiz100,” said Heather Shrimpton, Owner, Alloa Ballet Company in Clackmannanshire.

“Small Business Saturday is such an important campaign, shining a light on the passion, creativity and community spirit that small businesses like ours bring ” for me, that means inspiring children, supporting families, and sharing the joy of dance with our community.”

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 businesses like plumbers and accountants. Many small businesses take an active role in promoting the day by hosting events and offering promotions.

Last year, the campaign saw support from the Prime Minister, the Mayor of London, as well as the Chancellor of the Exchequer. Over 90% of local councils also supported the campaign, which trended across social media on the day.

To learn more Small Business Saturday’s SmallBiz100 visit https://smallbusinesssaturdayuk.com/