On Saturday, Nov. 25, Louisiana will join a national movement in celebrating Small Business Saturday, to recognize the strength, value and importance imparted by locally owned small businesses to their communities and the state.

Sandwiched between the holiday shopping trends of “Black Friday” and “Cyber Monday,” the Small Business Saturday observation also follows Thanksgiving and gives Louisiana residents an appropriate time and place to give special thanks and patronage for the state’s small businesses.

“As the holiday shopping season commences this weekend, I hope all Louisianans will participate in Small Business Saturday and support small businesses throughout the state,” Gov. John Bel Edwards said. “Small businesses are the backbone of our economy, and they do so much to showcase the skills, talent and culture that can only be found in Louisiana. It is important that we acknowledge the tremendous contributions our small businesses owners and their staffs make throughout the year, and supporting Small Business Saturday is a sincere way to express our thanks and gratitude for all they do to better our state.”

Many local merchants are participating in the national campaign.

Gayle’s Jewelry is offering a free pearl bracelet with any purchase of $200 dollars on Saturday.

McMillans will have a Trunk Show by Victoria Cross, and sales throughout the store. People will also be able to register for drawings.

Gail Freeman, of Merle Norman in Bogalusa, said anyone who makes two cosmetic purchases on Saturday will get an additional cosmetic item as a gift.

Tyler Ross Jewelry in Franklinton will be participating, as well. That store will give away a white gold and pearl ring, and customers who spend $50 or more on Friday or Saturday will be entered to win the prize. The winner will be announced Saturday evening.

That store’s sales on Saturday include 10 to 40 percent off select merchandise, and 20 percent off Citizen watches.

According to the National Retail Federation, an estimated 154 million shoppers made consumer purchases during Thanksgiving weekend in 2016. Such retail activity supports the nearly 93,000 small business retail jobs in Louisiana. In particular, Small Business Saturday encourages shoppers to make a larger percentage of their purchases at those locally owned, independent business, thus helping those enterprises thrive in a competitive economy.

“When Louisianans participate in Small Business Saturday, they strengthen their local economies by supporting local businesses and keeping the dollars they spend within the state,” said Don Pierson, Secretary of Louisiana Economic Development. “Louisiana small businesses account for the majority of jobs in our state. We encourage Louisianans to shop at small businesses to support their friends and neighbors, as well as the strength and employment of their communities.”

In Louisiana, small businesses make up over 97 percent of the state’s employers. More than 910,000 Louisiana residents are employed by small businesses, collectively accounting for 53 percent of all private-sector jobs in the state.