Shoptober campaign provides ‘great lift’
OAMARU businesses have noticed a ‘‘great lift’’ in engagement as a result of last month’s shoplocal campaign, organiser Annabel Berry says.
‘‘Shoptober’’ was a key element of the newly established Oamaru Business Collective’s wider plan to get consumers to consider buying from businesses in Oamaru — before going online or travelling to larger centres.
And the concept had also engaged the wider business community, said Mrs Berry, who founded the Oamaru Business Collective.
‘‘It was a great platform for the businesses in town to work together to promote town as a whole, rather than working in isolation,’’ she said.
‘‘Everyone has enjoyed the camaraderie and we all know each other better and support each other more, which has been a bonus of the event.
‘‘We have noticed a great lift in local engagement with town across the board. Shoptober reminded people we are here, we have a great range of businesses and great people in them.’’
Fortysix businesses took part in the Shoptober campaign. It was launched on October 3 with latenight shopping and several businesses hosted instore specials, activities and events throughout the day.
‘‘I would love to think that people are considering coming to town as opposed to just buying online. Shopping local supports local and we all want a strong, thriving community,’’ she said.
Mrs Berry, who is the creative director of Design Federation, said she had also been approached by several other businesses interested in being involved in future Oamaru Business Collective initiatives.
‘‘We now have over 130 members,’’ she said.
The challenge was keeping up with demand and ensuring the momentum continued as she managed her own business, the motherofthree said.
‘‘I am only one person, with a job and family — I cannot walk around and communicate personally with everyone,’’ she said.
The Facebook group ‘‘Oamaru Business Collective’’ had been an effective tool for businesses to communicate with each other.
‘‘Everyone is thrilled that something is happening and we are all happy to work together towards common goals, to try different things and see if they drive vitality to our local business sector,’’ she said.
Building on the success of Shoptober, a group of more than 20 businesses have joined forces to offer latenight shopping in the six weeks before Christmas.
‘‘I would like to offer a challenge to our wonderful community this year to only shop local for Christmas gifts. We have it all right here,’’ she said.