For many local businesses after the Christmas/winter holiday season passes, the business doldrums of January set in. People have large bills coming in from December spends, the weather keeps people inside, and everyone hunkers down. This makes it difficult to sustain business during this time, particularly in parts of the country where the weather makes driving treacherous.
Chambers try to increase business for their members by hosting events that will get people out of their houses and networking, but while those sorts of events get the business people out, how can you bring the average person down to Main Street with wallet in hand?
Local Currency Programs Sustain Businesses in Winter
A local currency program can help balance out the uneven shopping seasons for many businesses. When you adopt a local currency program and you begin marketing it, one of the key stops for you should be large businesses who reward employees with gift cards. It’s not a difficult sell to get them on board with giving away a local gift card instead of one to a chain. The cost is no different, they’re supporting the local economy, and employees have a huge selection of merchants to choose from such as restaurants, boutiques, and service companies.
Once you have businesses on board who are using the local gift certificates as part of their incentives and rewards programs, you are on your way to helping these struggling merchants. Many of these awards are given out at the end of the year and that means a number of them will be spent in January. Since the certificates must be spent at local merchants, you’re helping these businesses see an influx of customers during a traditionally slower time.
Employee recognition programs are a valuable part of the marketing for your local currency program. Large companies can give local, employees have greater choice, and merchants see upticks in a traditionally slow time of year. It’s something everyone feels good about.
