How to Plan a Small Business Saturday Shopping Route
Plan a short route of nearby small shops, confirm each stop, and shop with less stress on November 28.
To plan a Small Business Saturday shopping route, list nearby small stores and order them by location and hours. Small Business Saturday is a one-day shopping event for independent retailers and restaurants, so confirm each stop before you go. This year it falls on Saturday, November 28, 2026, the Saturday after Thanksgiving between Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
The U.S. Small Business Administration lists that 2026 observance date on its observance page.
Verification note: Program terms and availability can change. This page was checked against linked sources on November 06, 2026.
Set a one-day time window
Plan for Saturday, November 28 only, not the full weekend. Divide the day into two or three shopping blocks with travel time between them. Leave gaps for parking, lines, and meals.
Broad turnout can mean crowds and thin stock at popular stops. The SBA shared American Express survey results reporting about $22 billion in self-reported spending for the 2024 event. Treat that figure as a sign of interest, since American Express describes it as projected survey spending rather than register receipts.
Where can you find stops near you?
Start with the free American Express Shop Small Map for nearby stores and the Shop Small Online Directory for sellers online. American Express describes these tools on its Shop Small page for building a stop list. The Map covers only qualifying U.S.
merchants that accept American Express. Stores generally need 1 to 25 physical locations and must stay under an annual Amex charge-volume cap. That means many large chains and some franchised outlets will not appear.
Listings can also contain errors or outdated details. American Express warns shoppers in its Map FAQs disclosure to confirm hours and participation directly with each store.
How do you turn stops into a route?
Group your picks by neighborhood or street to cut driving time. Put must-visit stores first, then add one or two backups nearby. Keep online-only sellers on a separate evening list.
American Express offers free Shop Small Studio materials, including a Shop Small Passport you can stamp store to store. Print one passport per shopper and plan stamps in the same order as your stops.
- Check Saturday hours for each stop.
- Sort stops in walking or driving order.
- Note parking and meal breaks.
- Save one alternate per cluster.
What should you confirm before you go?
Call or check each store's own site or social page the day before. Ask about Saturday hours, event participation, and returns. Do not rely only on map pins for times or stock.
Pack your list, payment method, reusable bags, and phone charger. If a stop is closed or crowded, move to the backup in that same cluster.