A new initiative is urging Irish consumers to ‘turn Black Friday into Green’ this month by supporting Irish businesses who are selling safely online.
Champion Green is a consumer support local initiative backing local jobs and enterprise. It is supported by Kilkenny Design and Visa, as well as business groups Retail Excellence, the Small Firms Association and Chambers Ireland. The campaign is also offering advice and support to businesses. SMEs can register for free marketing materials on championgreen.ie and avail of business advice, webinars and other supports, while campaign advertising explains how money spent locally supports local jobs and services. Champion Green social media channels are also used to communicate key facts and offers from small businesses around the country.
As the leading Irish-owned web host, Blacknight is delighted to support Green Friday. The message that online business, and Black Friday in particular, is an opportunity for Irish retailers is one that we have championed for years. In the current climate, this message is vital.
Rsponding to unprecedented demand from SMEs, we’ve launched new products & services, including a website design service to get shops online quickly, and shopBuilder, the easiest, most flexible and best-value ecommerce solution for small business.
Champion Green is calling on all adults in Ireland to click local and spend an extra €50 in November which will result in an estimated €180 million boost in the economy. Having established last year’s successful Green Friday shopping campaign, the #supportlocal movement is now calling for widespread support for Green Friday this year, choosing online shopping and services from local businesses.
“Black Friday is even bigger this year with month long offers and consumers eager to buy Christmas presents early. Local businesses are adapting and innovating, with everything from online sales to personal shopping, zoom consultations, direct marketing and home delivery. They deserve our support and together we can make this a Green Friday to remember.’ Marian O’Gorman, the Champion Green founder says.
Speaking of the campaign, Sven Spollen-Behrens, Director of the Small Firms Association (SFA) commented; “This year more important than ever, the Christmas celebrations can add a major economic impetus to the country, to small businesses and help maintain jobs. This Christmas period we encourage consumers to start earlier and focus on buying Irish and supporting all types of small businesses online.”
One positive of lockdown and the pandemic setbacks is that community is stronger, Marian O’Gorman says.
“People realise that supporting each other and local business is absolutely critical now, if Ireland is to emerge from this massive economic and social challenge.”
Smaller businesses have invested in their future survival with excellent online shopping options, and Green Friday is to encourage people to consciously seek out local retailers and service providers online, the campaign organisers say.
Consumers are increasingly buying online, on account of both store closures and the sheer convenience. Visa data reveals that 40% of Irish Visa cardholders, who did not shop online prior to March, are now making ecommerce transactions*.
Philip Konopik, Ireland Country Manager, Visa, added, “Local businesses form the backbone of the Irish economy and they have demonstrated their resilience during the pandemic. Given the extraordinary measures and investment they have made to continue trading, they are now counting on us to get behind them. It’s a time that where you shop matters has never been important, so let us all show our support by buying Irish wherever possible.”
“With more people shopping online for the first time, we would ask everyone to see if they can buy a product from an Irish retailer, as their combined purchases will go back into the local economy, providing a vital boost at what is the busiest trading period of the year. Think before you click and let’s all champion green.”
* VisaNet Data June 2020 (09 Mar 20 – 30 Jun 2020 vs 01 Jan 19 – 08 Mar 20)
About the Author: Conn Ó Muíneacháin
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