Support your local community: It’s time to Shop Small
Small businesses are an integral part of our communities, so it’s time to support your local and Shop Small.
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Small businesses are an integral part of our communities and what makes them unique. But there has never been a tougher time to be in business.
The COVID-19 pandemic lockdown forced companies and small businesses to rebrand, reposition and rethink how they do business. But as restrictions are easing, it’s encouraging to see life slowly returning to a “new normal”.
“There’s no doubt there has never been a tougher time to be in business,” Kate Carnell, Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman.
“While it’s encouraging to see so many small businesses confident they can survive this crisis, they will face enormous challenges over the coming months as they work to get back on their feet. What small businesses need right now is our support.”
For many small businesses, every bunch, batch or brew sold makes a big difference right now. That’s why the Shop Small campaign is bigger than ever this year. American Express is rallying communities and incentivising Card Members to help send customers their way.
American Express, a champion of small business, has decided to bring back their hugely successful Shop Small campaign early this year. The national campaign, traditionally held in November, celebrates the valuable contributions small businesses make to their communities and the economy, and encourages shoppers to support them.
Corrina Davison, managing director, American Express Australia, says that “while people are starting to head out again, small businesses still face the challenge of getting customers to return at the levels they need”.
“We’re bringing back Shop Small early this year to encourage shoppers to support the nation’s resilient small business operators and accelerate their recovery,” Davison said.
“As the nation takes important steps on the road to recovery and more businesses reopen, we’re encouraging all Australians to recognise the critical role they play in helping the businesses at the heart of our local communities by ‘shopping small’.
Until August 31, 2020, eligible American Express Card Members will get $5 back when they spend $10 or more, either online or in-store at participating small businesses. It’s redeemable up to 10 times, once per participating business. The offer must be saved to their eligible Amex Card before spending.
“American Express, through the Shop Small campaign, has given $19.5 million back to Card Members for spending at local small businesses across Australia between 2013 and 2019, and over the same period our Card Members have contributed more than $4 billion to the Australian small business sector as a result of Shop Small,” Davison added.
According to this year’s Small Business Recovery research commissioned by American Express, the overwhelming majority of Australian small business owners (80 per cent), are optimistic their business will survive COVID-19. However, if trade doesn’t pick up quickly, about 52 per cent fear for their longer-term survival.
The research examined the impact of COVID-19 on Australian small businesses and the measures that can best support them in rebuilding. And what better way to recognise their valuable contribution and celebrate them, than by helping everyone to support the local businesses they love.
However, the research reveals that part of getting us out and shopping again will entail a greater level of comfort about precautions businesses are taking to protect the health of their customers. More than half (52 per cent) of shoppers said they were concerned for their safety, and 80 per cent said businesses need to implement safety measures such as sanitisers and distance markers for them to feel safe. But 33 per cent of shoppers said they felt at ease to return to stores, and 22 per cent will only do so once COVID-19 cases get down to zero in their state. Another 15 per cent said they will return to shopping only when there are zero cases nationwide.
More ways American Express is helping small businesses recover is through their Ideas Exchange program which includes virtual masterclasses by experts from well-known brands and entrepreneurs offering ideas on how to drive business forward, an “Open for Business” map housed on shopsmall.com.au helping shoppers identify which businesses are trading, and a multimillion-dollar advertising and social media campaign to encourage consumers to “Shop Small” and provide exposure for a selection of businesses from across the country featured in the campaign.
Aussies love where they live, but this campaign is a reminder that if they want to see their suburbs thrive, they need to back their local small businesses. It’s time to Shop Small.
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Small Businesses are the backbone of our community. American Express is encouraging all Australians to back the local businesses that make their suburb great and to Shop
Small. Learn more at www.shopsmall.com.au
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