Milwaukee shops launch interesting local buying service
A bunch of retail shops down in Milwaukee are trying something interesting to promote local spending and hopefully better connect small shop owners to their customers and each other.
Launched in January, Small Shops United offers shoppers a membership card allowing them to bank up credit every time they make a purchase at a participating merchant. Each merchant can decide how much credit to award, but most choose to credit a cardholder with 10% of their purchase. A shopper can then use the credit on future purchases – just like using a gift card. While the system works at any of the participating shops, the credit you bank is only good at the place you got it.
Cardholders are able to see their credit balance(s) online at SmallShopsUnited.com, and merchants are able to offer coupons, promotions and other deals through the site. There will also be a mobile app allowing you to see your account from your phone and find participating shops.
A merchant can also participate by simply offering cardholders special promotions through the site. It costs a business $100 to join up.
The service not only launched in Milwaukee, it was launched by Milwaukeeans. If successful, perhaps this is something to be considered by Chippewa Valley shops looking to keep the Buy Local train a-chugging along.
