The Think Local, Support Local retail campaign has already registered well over $500,000 in local sales, as some local retailers record some of their best figures this year.
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The campaign, initiated by the Tamworth Business Chamber and backed by council, has seen over 100 local retailers register, and over 3000 entries go into the draw to win a new car.
Chamber president Jye Segboer said he was blown away to find the biggest selling items have been lingerie and jewellery, and big ticket items too, although the most entry forms have come from Penrose Meats.
“I was really surprised to see that,” he said.
“It certainly shows people are getting behind the campaign and showing confidence in local retailers instead of going online.”
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While Prouds Jewellers have given away the second most entry forms, Sweet Secrets Lingerie are in third, with owner Kylie Gillies recording her strongest month this year in October.
She has her fingers crossed the trend continues through to Christmas, and beyond.
“We haven’t struggled but it has been the hardest year in my 14 years,” she said.
“The promotion has been great, and we have had that little bit of rain to green things up, I think that has brightened everyone up a bit.”
Ms Gillies has just ordered her third new stack of entry forms into the Think Local, Support Local promotion, and believes the campaign is helping remind locals, and encourage visitors, to “explore the great shopping environment Tamworth has.”
“I think some locals tend to forget how lucky we are,” she said.
“Every year I get the same visitors from Melbourne and Sydney that love shopping in Tamworth because of the strip we have here – there is parking, we have everything and they can still get great service.”
The Chamber have also been getting some great feedback on the first year of a promotion that not only aims to drive up local spending, but also collect data to share with retailers and improve future campaigns.
“We have become the envy of other chambers,” Mr Segboer said.
“So far we have had four others contact us, one even in Bunbury, to ask how we got it up and running.”
The promotion finishes on December 6, when one of the lucky 12 weekly winners will drive away in a brand new Honda Jazz.
