Introducing the Shop Local CK Program

If you’re a resident of Chatham-Kent, listen up! We’ve got big news to announce today, news that will be of special interest to local business owners. But before we spill the beans, it’s time for a short economic lesson:

Did you know, that for every $100 spent in a locally-owned business, $68 returns to the community through expenditures? Spend the same amount at a national retailer, and only $43 comes back. Spend it on Amazon.com, and the local community receives $0. (Source: 350 Project)

Shopping locally is an essential part of the economic pie, and it’s one that we can all help support. For the past few months, CIK Marketing has been researching and developing a program that provides local shoppers with the tools and incentives necessary to find and frequent local Chatham-Kent businesses.

So without further adue, CIK Marketing is proud to announce the Shop Local CK program. The Shop Local CK program is designed to help spur economic growth in Chatham-Kent through increased local spending and an extensive local rewards program. As a member of the program, you’ll join a network of businesses and local shoppers who care about their community and are committed to making Chatham-Kent a better place to live, work, shop, and share.

Shop Local K Program Features

The Shop Local CK program is full of great incentives for both shoppers and business. These include:

• A loyalty card program that will be implemented in every community of Chatham-Kent, providing local shoppers with discounts throughout the municipality.
• An interactive website and online/offline marketing campaign that keeps businesses and consumers abreast of offers and events.
• A built in community donation where $1 from the purchase of every loyalty card is donated to the United Way of Chatham-Kent.
• Incentives for people to visit local businesses and return time and time again.
• Financial incentives for businesses that participate in the program and act as a reseller for Shop Local CK Loyalty Cards.

The program features three different levels of Shop Local CK loyalty cards: Red, Blue, and Black. Red cardholders are entitled to a entry level of discounts at participating retailers, Blue card holders receive an even greater discount, and Black card holders receive and exceptional level of savings. But there’s a catch – only the Shop Local CK Red and Blue cards will be available for the public to purchase later this spring. Only 100 Shop Local CK Black cards will be produced every year and then hidden in amongst the Red and Blue memberships. You won’t know if you’ve received a Black card until after you’ve purchased your membership!

Register Your Chatham-Kent Business

There are currently 22 business registered to participate in the program, seven of which have already published their discounts to the Shop Local CK website. If you own a business in Chatham-Kent, or know of a local business who would benefit from the program, send them to the Shop Local CK Business Registration page where they can sign up to receive further details on the benefits and costs associated with the program.

Shop Local CK cards will be made available for purchase later next month. We’ll be unveiling more details on the Shop Local CK Facebook Page soon, so don’t forget to “like” the page and stay tuned.

So whether you live in Chatham-Kent or not, remember to always shop local… and shop often!