Maybugs, which has three gift shops in the East Sussex towns of Bexhill, Eastbourne and Hailsham, has been selected as one of the nation’s 100 most impressive small firms by the Small Business Saturday UK campaign, as it kicks off its second decade in the UK.
On Sunday September 24 Maybugs was celebrated across Small Businesses Saturday’s social media on day 27 of the SmallBiz100 campaign.
Maybugs is an independent retail business founded by Greg Rose and John Dale in 2018. Following a nationwide search, it was chosen as part of this year’s SmallBiz100 line-up, which showcases a line-up of 100 of the most inspiringindependent businesses from across the nation.
Small Business Saturday returns on December 2, with a mission to support and celebrate the UK’s 5.5 million small businesses. With small firms facing huge challenges due to the cost-of-living crisis, the campaign is more vital than ever as it moves in to its second decade in the UK.
Co-owner (and Gifts Today columnist) Greg said: “Are we dreaming? To be recognised as one of the 100 most inspirational small business in the UK is just and unreal feeling. To be chosen to sit alongside so many innovative, unique and simply groundbreaking other businesses feels surreal. The SmallBiz100 is such a great opportunity for us to grow our network and shout about why we think Maybugs is so good!”
Sales director John added: “We work very hard to continuously reinvent our stores, creating exciting destinations for our customers and being the first to market with so many new brands and launches. We are so lucky to be working in an industry that we love, and of course it means the world to us and our fabulous team to be recognised at such a high level, and in such good company too.”
Greg continued: “It’s especially special for us, as this week will see the expansion of our Artisan Market upstairs at our Eastbourne store. This space, which is givencompletely free to local and UK-based small producers to sell their products, will double in size following its huge success since launching in July. As all our new ranges, plus Christmas, starts to arrive in our stores, there is so much newness for our lovely customers to discover.”
Michelle Ovens CBE, director of Small Business Saturday UK, commented: “It’s fantastic to celebrate Maybugs as part of this year’s campaign. The impressive small businesses featured in this year’s SmallBiz100 sum up the phenomenal contribution that small firms make to our economy and local communities.”
Small Business Saturday is a grassroots, non-commercial campaign, which celebrates small business success and encourages consumers to ‘shop local’ and to support businesses in their communities. The campaign was originally founded by American Express in the US in 2010, and the brand remains the principal supporter of the campaign in the UK.
On Small Business Saturday, customers across the UK go out and support all types of small businesses, from independent boutiques and eateries to small service and B2B businesses such as wholesalers and digital marketers. Many small businesses take an active role in promoting the day by hosting events and offering promotions.
Over the time the campaign has run in the UK, it has engaged millions of people each year, and seen over billions of pounds spent with small businesses across the UK.
Small Business Saturday attracts huge attention on the day itself, with an impact that lasts all year. Last year the campaign trended at number one in the UK on social media platform X (formally Twitter), with the Prime Minister and the Mayor of London among those publicly supporting the campaign. Over 90% of local councils also supported the campaign.
To get involved in Small Business Saturday UK visit https://smallbusinesssaturdayuk.com
