More than $1 million loaded onto Bathurst Buy Local Gift Cards since launch

More than $1 million has been loaded onto gift cards since the program was introduced in 2015, with the one millionth dollar being loaded at Capital Chemist on December 17, 2021.

Reaching $1 million was partly attributed to council's recent competitions, which have incentivised people to purchase the cards.

The competitions also encouraged people to buy locally.

The Buy Local 2021 Giveaway Campaign was conducted to encourage spending after the Delta lockdown came to an end.

In total, $1,800 worth of Buy Local Gift Cards were given away over a six-week period.

Customers who spent a minimum of $10 at a participating Bathurst Buy Local store were given an entry form to go into the draw to win one of 18 cards, each with $100 already loaded.

More than 5000 entries were submitted in total over the six weeks, which exceeded the total received from similar 10-week competition that was run after the first COVID lockdown in 2020.

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Five new businesses also signed up to the program.

As the $1 million milestone neared, another competition was introduced to spur on purchases of the cards.

The aim of the competition was to encourage residents to purchase a Bathurst Buy Local gift card as a Christmas present over competing non-local national brands, such as David Jones and Myer.

Every purchase of a gift card in December received an entry into the competition to win one of four $250 gift cards.

Over the two holiday seasons, the Bathurst Buy Local Gift Card has become a popular Christmas present with December 2021 being the second most successful month of the program behind December 2020.

There were 1528 cards purchased, with the load value exceeding $93,000.

Buy Local Gift Cards can be purchased from more than 150 retailers in Bathurst.

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