• How American Businesses Make Thanksgiving Special

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    November 27, 2024

    November 26, 2024
     
    U.S. Chamber of Commerce
    Chamber Bulletin
     
     
     
     
    KEY TAKEAWAYS
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    • Thanksgiving doesn’t happen without America’s farmers and businesses.
    • The lack of economic growth is a major challenge for Germany’s government.

    Note: The Chamber Bulletin will return on Dec 3. We wish you and yours a safe and healthy Thanksgiving.
     
     
     
    DEVELOPMENTS THAT MATTER
    How American Businesses Make Thanksgiving Special
    A family looks happily at a Thanksgiving turkey.
    Thanksgiving brings Americans together to reflect and give thanks. American farmers and businesses play a big part in the celebration.
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    Why it matters: Companies of all sizes deliver the goods and services that support holidays and cultural events.
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    Food is Thanksgiving’s foundation, and U.S. farmers work tirelessly to provide the staples of the holiday meal. Minnesota leads in turkey production, while Wisconsin and North Carolina supply cranberries and sweet potatoes, respectively.
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    • This year, the cost of a Thanksgiving meal for 10 is estimated to be $58.08, according to the American Farm Bureau Federation, down slightly from 2023.
    Travel is another cornerstone of Thanksgiving, with close to 80 million people expecting to journey 50 miles or more this holiday season—an increase of 1.7 million as compared to 2023.
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    • This will keep airlines and gas stations busy. The Transportation Security Administration is gearing up for a record 18.3 million travelers passing through airports during Thanksgiving week, while AAA expects 71.7 million people will travel by car.
    Bottom line: As we gather this Thanksgiving, let's remember the businesses that make it all possible.
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    Learn more: The Chamber’s Brought to You by American Business campaign highlights the role businesses play in bringing important holidays and cultural events to life while creating economic growth.
    Read More
     
     
     
     
    SMALL BUSINESS OUTLOOK
     
    90%
     
    Share of shoppers who will be hunting for deals this holiday season. This lines up with what small businesses are doing to attract customers, according to a QuickBooks survey.
     
     
     
     
    91%
     
    Share of small businesses who expect AI to drive growth. Find out how small businesses are using AI for Small Business Saturday.
     
     
     
     
    Learn more: Chamber Vice President Tom Sullivan keeps you up to speed on what’s going on with small businesses.
     
     
     
    SHOP SMALL EVERY DAY
    Shopping Local Helps Communities Thrive
    [Image] Woman at a store looking at bracelets on a rack
    Supporting small businesses is critically important this year as consumers are expected to spend $191 less at small businesses this holiday season due to rising costs and inflationary pressures.

    Be smart: Here's everything you need to know about Small Business Saturday.
     
    Join the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in promoting shopping small, investing in local communities, and celebrating the important role small businesses play in our economy throughout the holiday season. Our toolkit has social media assets to spread the Shop Small message, and resources to help small business owners make the most of the holiday season.
    Shop Small Every Day
     
     
     
     
    TOP OF MIND
    Understanding Germany's Economic Struggles
    German industrial output is down 10% from its peak.
    Germany faces economic and political challenges.
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    • Its GDP “is poised to shrink for the second year in a row,” writes Jay Sapsford, U.S. Chamber Senior Vice President, Global Risk Analysis.
    • Germany’s ruling coalition collapsed recently, with new elections set for February.
    Be smart: Excessive bureaucracy, lagging public infrastructure investment, and less welcoming export markets are holding back German economic growth.
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    Why it matters: Germany is Europe’s largest economy and is critical to the $8.7 trillion U.S.-Europe commercial relationship that supports millions of jobs on both sides of the Atlantic.
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    Learn more: Sapsford talked to Judy Dempsey, senior fellow at Carnegie Europe, about Germany’s economic situation on The Call, a video update for members offered as part of the Chamber’s Global Intelligence Desk.
    Read More
     
     
     
     
    SMALL BUSINESS, BIG IMPACT
     
     
     
    A woman works on business finances on a computer in front of a Christmas tree.
     
    How to Calculate Year-End Employee Bonuses
    Strike the right balance between showing appreciation for your staff and not breaking the bank.
    Read More
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    CHAMBER IN ACTION
    Marty Durbin spoke at the United Nations Climate Change Conference.
    • Marty Durbin, U.S. Chamber Senior Vice President of Policy, spoke to Brazil’s Confederation of National Industry at the United Nations Climate Change Conference. Learn more about the business community’s climate leadership at COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan.
     
     
     
    UPCOMING EVENTS
     
     
     
    Climate Resiliency Forum Sacramento
    December 3, 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM PT
    At this in-person event, the U.S. Chamber, U.S. Chamber Foundation, and our partners at Allstate will discuss tangible steps community leaders can take to reduce the economic costs of future disasters.
    Register
     
     
     
     
     
    2025 Customer Trends Every Small Business Should Know
    December 18, 12:00 PM – 12:30 PM ET
    Small business owners and experts will give you an inside look at how you can better attract, serve, and retain loyal customers in 2025.
    Register
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    U.S. Chamber of Commerce