ShopLK, Love Shopping Letterkenny, has reached another important and amazing milestone with sales hitting a record €1.5m over Christmas and up until late in January.
Letterkenny Chamber created the ShopLK brand way back in 2004 and added the Vouchers in 2006.
Since then sales have increased year on year as Letterkenny people got behind this local shopping initiative, and since moving to the gift card sales have gone from strength to strength.
Christmas sales increased by 16% and actual sales from 1st November 2017 to 24th January are €1,553,574 on sales of over 9,300 cards.
Leonard Watson, Chamber President said that each year since moving to the card based system in November 2015 they have been delighted with the sales levels.
“However the sales over this Christmas period were beyond our expectations. We have seen corporate sales increase and sales from the public are growing every year as people become more and more familiar with the initiative.
“This is by far the most successful town scheme in the country and we are also outstripping Shopping Centres with similar gift cards. We are always thankful all the outlets that support us. We know from our customers that they love the variety. The can get grocery shopping, petrol for the family car or spend the money on a treat, the choice is endless.
“The cards can only be spent in Letterkenny and we know that at least one third of customers using the card almost always spend more than the value of the card itself.
“This is a huge amount of money to be circulating in Letterkenny. It not only puts money directly into the hands of local businesses but in turn plays its part in supporting local jobs.”
ShopLK Gift Cards are accepted in over 190 outlets. The list of outlets involved in ShopLK that accept the cards continues to increase and all types of outlets are welcome.
Young, old, men or women, it really doesn’t matter who you buy a ShopLK Gift Card for, they will always find a place to spend it. Because it is accepted in so many outlets you can do a whole days shopping, treat the family to a meal and even have a night out on the card.
Toni Forrester Letterkenny Chamber CEO explains how the Gift Cards sales worked.
“ShopLK Gift Cards are bought throughout the year by businesses whose staff have opted to have them instead of cash bonuses and also we see lots of purchases from groups and charities as prizes. However over the last year we sell gift cards every day to customers from every walk of life as they realise the potential of the card as a gift. ”
Shop LK is more than just the gift card. It’s about promoting Letterkenny as a retail destination, the commercial hub of the County. With financial support from Donegal County Council, Letterkenny Chamber, through ShopLK has been able to elevate the ShopLK brand, publicise it across the North West and get local people recognising the value and choice right on their doorstep.
The ShopLK – Love Shopping Letterkenny brand helps to underpin all that is good about shopping in Letterkenny for local people and visitors alike.
Letterkenny Chamber makes no money from the sale or redemption of gift cards so every cent brought in through ShopLK is invested back into the promotion of the brand throughout the year.
Acknowledging the support of Donegal County Council Leonard Watson said “The financial support that we have had from the Council over the last six years has really enabled us to develop the brand and engage more fully with businesses and consumers. It has allowed us to promote Letterkenny across Donegal and the North West and the introduction of the gift card has brought ShopLK to a whole new level.”
“We would also like to thank The Courtyard Shopping Centre that sells our ShopLK Gift Cards direct to the public, having this added visibility has been of immense support to us here in Letterkenny Chamber.”
Letterkenny Chamber could not run this highly successful initiative without the support of DSP Community Employment programme through which the Chamber is staffed. It is the frontline staff in the Chamber that provide the much needed resources throughout the year to make ShopLK such a success and the support of the Department of Social Protection is very much appreciated.
Tags: