As people around the world find joy from the act of shopping small this season, American Express is proud to be at the forefront with its year-round support for small business owners, helping them thrive in a constantly evolving landscape. Through our work, we’ve seen small business owners become champions for each other and supporting local communities has become a passion point for consumers.
With a global network of small business merchants and customers, Amex has introduced several programs including this year’s 14th annual Small Business Saturday® – that inspires customers to shop local during the holiday season.
Since we first introduced Small Business Saturday 13 years ago, we’ve ramped up year-round support for the local shops and services that foster a sense of community. From the global Shop Small® initiative to our Backing Small and Business Class programs to the Shop Small Resource Hub, we help empower and provide impactful resources to small business owners.
Throughout 2023, we’ve created several campaigns and programs to offer customers convenient ways to discover and shop from small businesses. Scroll down to see how Shop Small is coming to life around the world.
Photo: Courtesy of American Express
Argentina
To support local shop owners across the country, we’ve provided Amex Card Members exclusive offers throughout the year to unlock value when shopping at small businesses in Argentina. We’ve also helped small merchants grow their businesses by providing them with educational tools and resources, as well as store supplies that let the community know their business is open to Card Members.
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Australia
To celebrate the 11th year of Shop Small in Australia, Amex is giving 10 small businesses each a $10,000 grant to help them meet the needs of their customers. These businesses will be selected from a month-long initiative in which every Amex transaction processed in-store or online during the month of November was an entry into the draw. Card Members have also been given the chance to win a share of 10 million points when they shop at eligible small businesses1.
And to help further our commitment towards driving the Shop Small movement, we brought Australia’s thought leaders and media together for a roundtable discussion to address some of the challenges and opportunities faced by small retailers, as found in a recent index report by American Express.
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Canada
To help Card Members discover new local restaurants and shine a light on our Shop Small merchants in Montreal, Canada, Amex became the presenting partner of Montreal’s renowned culinary event MTLàTABLE. As part of this event, eligible Card Members received an exclusive offer for dining to be used at one of the participating restaurants, along with other benefits including access to advanced bookings.
We highlight our Shop Small merchants throughout the year with Card Member exclusive offers and customized recommendations to encourage spend with local merchants. Also, we continue to forge growing partnerships with local economic development associations.
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France
We released the second edition of American Express’ 2023 Shop Small Awards that highlighted the richness of the country’s small business offerings and the French cities with the most dynamic local shops including Nice, Paris, Bordeaux and Lyon, among others.
Additionally, we’re introducing a limited time “My neighborhood, my business” offer2 for Card Members in France. On December 12, Card Members have the chance to get a 10 euro statement credit for purchases of 25 euros or more when using their Amex Card at select local merchants.
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Germany
We celebrated the 4th year of Shop Small in Germany with a special campaign that gave Card Members the chance to win Membership Rewards or PAYBACK points when shopping at eligible small businesses. Additionally, Amex is giving a grant to the small businesses where the winning Card Members shopped.
And to support small restaurants, we also introduced a new “Food Safari” series on our social media that featured local restaurants with international food specialties.
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Hong Kong
We celebrated the eighth edition of Shop Small in Hong Kong by teaming up with the Hong Kong Retail Management Association (HKRMA) to introduce the new Shop Small Academy. Through the program, Shop Small merchants can have access to complimentary trainings and networking events which aim to help them stay competitive.
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India
We launched the hyperlocal platform ‘Offers Next Door’, to encourage customers in India to support their local small businesses. By visiting the online site, eligible American Express Card Members can continue to check out exciting offers that can be redeemed by shopping in-store at participating neighborhood shops in Delhi NCR, Mumbai and Bangalore (terms and conditions apply).
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Italy
For the latest Shop Small initiative in Italy, American Express shined a spotlight on some of the best small businesses across Milan, Venice, Florence, Naples and Rome who were selected based on a number of criteria. The company also conducted research to explore local shopping habits and identify key factors that draw consumers to small businesses.
Photo: Courtesy of American Express
Japan
Amex continued its second year of RISE with Shop Small in Japan, which helps revitalize the businesses of small shop owners by providing financial and communications support. Through the program, we help provide eligible small businesses with the resources they need to help their communities feel “Always Welcome” and to meet the needs of their diverse customers.
We also collaborated with Tokyo’s small farmers’ market, Yebisu Marche, to launch the inaugural Shop Small Marche event. Those attending the market could explore more than 35 small shops – popular among locals and from all over the country. Eligible Card Members who made a purchase were gifted with a special Marche bag, while supplies lasted.
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Mexico
Amex launched the Shop Small Recommendations platform this year to help Card Members in Mexico discover small businesses within their local communities and give them the opportunity to learn about each of their stories.
We also teamed up with a local artist to create a Shop Small AR Mural in Mexico City which featured a unique animation with several local spots depicted and a QR code that people could scan to learn more about Shop Small.
Photo: Courtesy of American Express
Singapore
American Express raised the bar for its fourth Shop Small in Singapore by organizing its first-ever Shop Small pop-up market in the country. As part of the week-long experience, the community could shop for products and services made by local artists and small businesses – all while enjoying games, activities and live performances. American Express Card Members who spent at least S$50 at the pop-up market could also take home a Shop Small bag with limited edition items co-created by some of the participating small businesses.
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Spain
This year we offered eligible Card Members the opportunity to earn back 5€ for every 20€ spend, which could be used up to 5 times while shopping with eligible local merchants. We also provided local restaurants with Shop Small signage to use to encourage community support for small businesses.
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Taiwan
To support local merchants while the market reopens with an economic rebound, we introduced the seventh edition of Shop Small. During this time, eligible American Express Card Members could unlock special offers and Membership Rewards points when shopping and dining at participating Shop Small merchants.
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UK
We brought American Express’ Shop Small Accelerator program to the U.K. – following the program’s success in the U.S. – to celebrate the market’s 12th edition of its Shop Small campaign. As part of the program, we teamed up with TikTok to provide small business owners with social savvy tools and tips they can use to connect with customers in new ways.
We also celebrated Small Business Saturday by offering Card Members an exclusive Shop Small cashback offer that could be redeemed at select small businesses. And to help customers feel “Always Welcome” when shopping small all year-round, Amex provided small business owners with special storefront signage designed by local artists.
Photo: Courtesy of American Express
United States
To celebrate Small Business Saturday® in the U.S., we worked with ten small businesses to create “Door to Shop Small” – an augmented reality experience enabling people to explore and shop at small businesses in a new way. The “Doors” website and AR experience could be accessed across the country in the days leading up to Small Business Saturday, while people in New York City, Los Angeles and Chicago could also physically step into uniquely designed blue door frames to interact with the AR experience. Eligible Card Members could also unlock an exclusive offer3 to use when shopping at participating small businesses.
We also launched the second edition of our Shop Small Accelerator program earlier this year to help small businesses maximize their social media presence and better connect with the next generation of customers.
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1The competition commences at 9am (AEDT) on Wednesday 1 November 2023 and concludes at 11.59pm (AEDT) on Thursday 30 November 2023 (“Promotion Period”). Entry is open to Eligible American Express Card Members who register for the competition on https://www.lyyti.in/amexshopsmall then spend AU$1 or more at a participating Shop Small business. The first ten Eligible Entrants to be drawn will each win a price of 1 million Qantas, Velocity or Membership Reward Points, depending on the loyalty program they are enrolled in. The winners will be notified by email by 18 January 2024.
2Offer valid twice at two different merchants participating in the American Express My Neighborhood, My Business operation.. For more information, visit here.
3Card Member offer: Eligible American Express Card Members can earn a one-time $5 statement credit after making a single purchase of $50 or more at retailers in the “Shopping” category under the “Shop Small®” filter on the Shop Small Map or online directory in the US or US territories from 11/20-11/25. Only U.S.-issued Consumer and Business American Express® Cards are eligible. American Express Prepaid Cards, Corporate Cards, and American Express Cards issued outside the US are not eligible for the offer. Enrollment required and is limited. Full Terms available here.
Source:
hhttps://www.americanexpress.com/en-us/newsroom/articles/shop-small/american-express-continues-to-expand-its-support-for-small-busin.html
