Funding Circle backs independent alternative to Black Friday
FUNDING Circle has teamed up with small business campaign group Just A Card to provide an alternative to the annual Black Friday shopping event.
The peer-to-peer business lending giant will help promote the Just A Card campaign – run by artists, designers and small business owners – to encourage people to shop locally in the run up to Christmas.
The joint campaign will take place during Just A Card Indie Week on 19 November, the week before Black Friday where bigger retailers hold sales.
During the week, small businesses will display stickers in their windows, promoting their participation, while supporters such as Funding Circle will make at least one or more purchases from these retailers.
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“Funding Circle was born from the belief that when small businesses succeed, everyone benefits,” James Meekings, managing director of Funding Circle, said.
“It’s no surprise then that the first campaign we’ve supported since becoming a public company is one dedicated to small business growth.
“We’ve supported 42,000 British businesses access the finance they need to help them grow, and now, through our partnership with Just A Card, we can also help encourage more shoppers through the doors of independent retailers. Every sale makes a difference – no matter how small.”
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Funding Circle said 3,000 small businesses were already supporting the campaign, but it hopes by delivering 7,000 window stickers to retail businesses the number of backers this year could treble.
“We’re delighted to have teamed up with Funding Circle because we know they’re just as passionate about small businesses succeeding as we are,” Sarah Hamilton, founder of the Just A Card campaign, said.
“The British public cherishes independent shops and small businesses, they are the foundation of our country, but to flourish they need our custom and support. The Just A Card campaign helps small businesses get the vital extra sales they need.”