SmallBusinessNewz

The National Retail Federation believes that everyone is indeed ready for some football.  The actual amount of cash they spend preparing for and watching the Super Bowl looks ready to decrease compared to last year, but lots of money will still change hands, and enthusiasm is on the rise.

An NRF statement claims, "In all, shoppers will spend $9.6 billion for the game . . . .  Nearly three-quarters of consumers (72.4%) will buy food and beverages for the evening, compared to 67.4% last year.  Others will make more substantial investments by purchasing team apparel or accessories (5.6%), furniture (1.2%) or a television (2.7%) for the game."

More people should watch the game, too.

So here's how small businesses can get on the action.  First, consider promotions tying into the game.  Football-themed products or commercials that try to live up to the Super Bowl standards.

Or you can go in a completely different direction.  The NRF found that, in the case of companies that do spend millions on a 30-second promotion, "almost one-quarter (21.4%) of people wish advertisers would save their money and pass the savings onto them."  So you could try a low-cost campaign explaining that you're doing precisely that.

Good luck with your game plan.