Make it a Green Friday with Champion Green
Champion Green is calling on all adults in Ireland to click local and spend an extra €50 this Green Friday.
The pandemic may have wiped out our national holiday in March, but Champion Green is determined to boost the Irish economy by turning Black Friday Green this November. The campaign aims to tackle the current challenge that 70% of online sales in Ireland are being spent abroad*. We are calling on all adults in Ireland to click local and spend an extra €50 in November which will result in a much needed €180 million boost in the economy*. Champion Green is a consumer support local initiative backing local jobs and enterprise. It is supported by Kilkenny Design and Visa, as well as business groups Retail Excellence, the Small Firms Association and Chambers Ireland. Having established last year’s successful Green Friday shopping campaign, we are asking for widespread support for Green Friday this year, choosing online shopping and services from local businesses.
“Black Friday is even bigger this year with month long offers and consumers eager to buy Christmas presents early. Local businesses are adapting and innovating, with everything from online sales to personal shopping, zoom consultations, direct marketing and home delivery. They deserve our support and together we can make this a Green Friday to remember.’ Marian O’Gorman, the Champion Green founder says.
Speaking of the campaign, Sven Spollen-Behrens, Director of the Small Firms Association (SFA) commented; “This year more important than ever, the Christmas celebrations can add a major economic impetus to the country, to small businesses and help maintain jobs. This Christmas period we encourage consumers to start earlier and focus on buying Irish and supporting all types of small businesses online.”
One positive of lockdown and the pandemic setbacks is that community is stronger, Marian O’Gorman says. “People realise that supporting each other and local business is absolutely critical now, if Ireland is to emerge from this massive economic and social challenge”
Consumers are increasingly buying online, on account of both store closures and the sheer convenience. Visa data reveals that 40% of Irish Visa cardholders, who did not shop online prior to March, are now making ecommerce transactions*.
Philip Konopik, Ireland Country Manager, Visa, added, “Local businesses form the backbone of the Irish economy and they have demonstrated their resilience during the pandemic. Given the extraordinary measures and investment they have made to continue trading, they are now counting on us to get behind them. It’s a time that where you shop matters has never been important, so let us all show our support by buying Irish wherever possible.”
“With more people shopping online for the first time, we would ask everyone to see if they can buy a product from an Irish retailer, as their combined purchases will go back into the local economy, providing a vital boost at what is the busiest trading period of the year. Think before you click and let’s all champion green.”
