ShopLK, Love Shopping Letterkenny, has reached another important and amazing milestone reaching €5m worth of sales.
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 increased by 20% each year.
The ShopLK scheme moved to Gift Cards in November 2015 and since then sales have topped €5m.
Leonard Watson, Chamber President said “Each year since moving to the card-based system we have been delighted with the sales levels but reaching this amazing milestone is fantastic news to announce before we have the Christmas sales. We have seen corporate sales increase and sales from the public are growing every year as the gift cards become more and more popular with the public.
“This is by far the most successful town scheme in the country and we are also outstripping Shopping Centres with similar gift cards. We have 200 outlets that accept the card giving customers a great variety of places to spend. 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.”
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. 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 that ShopLK Is more than just a gift card “ShopLK is 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 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.
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