According to the National Retail Federation, 95 million people nationwide plan to shop on Black Friday.

The Chapel-Hill Carrboro Chamber of Commerce has joined a national effort to make sure that holiday shopping continues strong on Saturday, for smaller, independent retailers.

“Small Business Saturday is an effort that started on 2010 with American Express to encourage people buying at local independent retailers,” said Kristen Smith, vice president for advocacy and engagement at the Chapel Hill-Carrboro Chamber of Commerce. “At the Chamber of Commerce, we want people during Black Friday Small Business Saturday, Cyber Monday, to buy local.”

One this major holiday shopping weekend, the Chamber is guiding people to local retailers in their areas. Smith says that ultimately benefits all Orange County residents.

“Just spending $200 or more – if all Orange County residents made that choice, local sales would rise more than two percent, and that’s about half a million in sales tax revenue,” said Smith.

There’s a reported $728 million retail gap caused by Orange County residents shopping in outlying counties. The message from the Chamber of Commerce is: When you spend it here, you can keep it here.

“According to a Town of Chapel Hill report to the community, 70 percent of Chapel Hill residents leave town either every day, or at least once a week, to go elsewhere,” said Smith.

You can find a list of participating local retailers at carolinachamber.org.