Tag Archives: Shop Local
Local Rewards Program Now Free For Businesses to Participate
Based on the feedback of local business owners and consumers, Shop Local CK has announced multiple improvements to their municipality-wide loyalty program, the most significant of which involves eliminating the business membership fee. As of June 21, locally-owned and locally-operated businesses are invited to participate in the program completely free of charge.
“When we began the Shop Local CK program, we knew it was a big undertaking, and one that would require tweaking and changing in order to provide the best benefits to participating businesses and local consumers,” explains Shop Local CK founder, Chantielle Kennedy. Changes to the program include:
1. Free Business Enrolment
The only requirements for business participation is:
- They must be located in Chatham-Kent.
- They must honour their discount for one full year from the date they join the program.
2. One Discount Level Instead of Three
- Reducing the number of loyalty levels from three to one will help streamline the program and eliminate any confusion.
- Businesses now only need to offer one discount in order to participate in the program.
- Businesses are still encouraged to set their own discount based on their unique profit margins and product offering.
3. New Pricing
Shop Local CK Consumer Membership Cards will now be sold for $25 (plus applicable taxes) regardless of their colour.
Cards that were sold at the original price are still valid. If you purchased a Shop Local CK Blue Card for the original price of $39.99 and would like a refund for the difference in price, please send an email to info@shoplocalck.com. Proof of purchase date is required in order to receive your refund. If you purchased a Shop Local CK Red Card for the original price of $19.99 congratulations on scoring a great deal!
“The way Shop Local CK was laid out originally was ambitious. These changes are designed to streamline the program and make it easier for businesses and consumers to participate,” says Kennedy.
Businesses and consumers can learn more about the Shop Local CK program changes on the official Shop Local CK website. “The point of this program is to help encourage local commerce. We’re confident that these improvements will go a long way to reaching this goal and providing longterm economic benefits to the community.”
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!
