Retailers across the county are being invited to sign up for a new rewards programme run in collaboration with the Kent & Medway Growth Hub.

Backed by all 12 local district authorities, as well as Medway Council, the Local Rewards High Street Guide has been developed alongside social media firm Maybe* Tech.

It is hoped the scheme will help retailers bounce back from the pandemic and reach more customers.

Local Rewards allows businesses to communicate with and reward shoppers when they hit the high streets and has been created with the intention of ‘levelling the playing field’ between local retailers and giants like Amazon. Businesses can also cross-promote and support their high street neighbours to create an online network of connected traders.

The technology enables shoppers to see businesses near them and view their social media content, engage and shop with them through their via Facebook Messenger and WhatsApp on mobile phones and desktops.

The programme will go live featuring over 16,000 retailers from across Kent.

Rebecca Green of The Beehive, a clothing shop in Ashford using the platform, explained: “Lockdowns have heightened the importance of supporting local independent businesses and I like the way the technology allows you to easily engage with other local businesses to increase the feeling of community within the town.”

Tudor Price from Kent & Medway Growth Hub, added: “As a county, we are blessed with a diverse, thriving retail sector and we are delighted to be launching the new Local Rewards High Street Guide programme that will connect shops and shoppers in an exciting, innovative way.”

Every business that signs up to manage their listing on the Local Rewards High Street Guide will also have access to an extensive range of social media tools and training provided by Maybe* Tech.

Polly Barnfield, CEO of Maybe* Tech, said: “Around two thirds of shoppers regularly look online for inspiration and the Local Rewards High Street Guide programme groups all social media content by location to encourage people to browse their local high street and then rewards them for their local spend.

“High streets need infrastructure that until now has only been available for online businesses and this programme will help local retailers level the playing field with giants like Amazon.

“They need to communicate with shoppers in real-time and be able to showcase what’s available. In order to compete, high street businesses need to up their digital game, promote their physical stores and collaborate. Our platforms help them collectively to do that and we are delighted to be working with businesses in both towns."

For details on the scene click here. To learn more about the support attend a free webinar, staged every Wednesday at 10am - for details click here.

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