JERSEYVILLE, IL (KMOX) - Some small businesses in Illinois are banding together to try and win your holiday business before you go to a big retailer.
A group of local shops in Madison and Jersey Counties has created a virtual shopping experience this weekend called Cozy into Christmas.
Emily Wittman, owner of Jolie Mitchell and Co, a handmade children's boutique, says for shop owners who run a brick and mortar location, this year has been tough.
"For them it is challenging, because they still have the overhead costs but the majority of people are still using online instead of coming into their store."
Wittman says many small shops take advantage of social media to get attention, but that can be time-consuming and tough to get posts more visibility.
She says the best strategy has been to join forces. "Whether it's somebody who sells the same items as me or not, we definitely band together and support each other and that has been the best avenue for marketing and getting out there."
Wittman has helped organize Cozy into Christmas on Facebook as a one-stop-shop.
Listen Monday on Total Information AM as Virtual Consumer Editor Megan Lynch talks with one group of advisors about what it will take for small businesses to survive into 2021.
