By Joanne Rodgers,
Bruce Peninsula Press
The first NBP Black Friday Merchant Tour generated a lot of buzz and brought shoppers out to rediscover the wide range of goods and services available locally. LookLocally.ca, in collaboration with 26 local merchants, hosted a Black Friday Merchant Tour for the weekend of November 26 to November 28, 2021. The aim was to encourage shoppers to look locally for their shopping and gift needs.
Scanning QR codes to win prizes
Each merchant had a QR code and an unique alpha-numeric seven digit identifier for their store. Shoppers entered a ballot for prizes by scanning the QR code using their phone or by accessing an URL website link or entering the unique identifier on a paper passport.
Co-organizer of the Merchant Tour, Charlotte Chinn of Rural Brand guru, says there were record sales days with 193 unique participants entering ballots for 18 prizes.
Chinn says she was excited to receive over 826 ballots either scanned or via paper ballots, and with 75 percent of the ballots cast being digital, it is a strong indication that the shoppers are embracing the digital aspects of marketing.
Participating merchants each contributed $20 towards marketing costs, sponsored prizes and offered discounts and specials for the shoppers. The planning and administrative services were all volunteer based headed by Rural Brand guru, Metal Edge Pipeworks and The Digital Dom.
Plans for Easter Merchant Tour in 2022
Chinn says there were rave reviews from the merchants and shoppers for the event; with lots of requests for longer shopping events and more tours. In response they are considering a family-oriented Spring 2022 event.
Look out for details on the Merchant Easter Hunt in spring of 2022.
