NORWICH – As another holiday shopping season draws near, Chenango County merchants are gearing up to promote shopping local during what local retailers hope will be a successful year for small businesses county-wide.

Holiday sales are expected to top $586 billion this year, according to the National Federation of Retailers. Although big-box stores are actively touting holiday sales, opening their doors earlier than ever for Black Friday – some as early as 8 p.m. on Thanksgiving – many local merchants are pulling out the stops to reap some of the benefits of the busiest shopping time of the year.

“I’m very excited about the upcoming holiday shopping season for the local merchants. They’ve been working hard at getting the message out about shopping local,” said Norwich Business Improvement District Director Roz DeRensis. In addition to crediting the work of local merchants, DeRensis also emphasized the community benefits of shopping local this holiday season. “The reminder to shop local and support local businesses who also support the area where we live helps us to build a better community, and better health and wealth,” she said.