AN app, launched pre-COVID to encourage Redlanders to shop local, is now helping businesses welcome back customers during recovery from the pandemic.
Council's Redlands Coast Deals and Rewards App - launched in November 2019 - displays deals offered by Redlands businesses and rewards customers for shopping local with in-app points.
Mayor Karen Williams said the free app was originally designed to support local businesses but now made more sense than ever.
"Redlands Coast businesses have been hit hard by restrictions and I encourage them to use the app as an extra platform to provide special offers, deals and great prizes," she said.
"It provides a way for businesses to reward loyalty and bring in new customers as they attempt to trade their way through the economic downturn."
YMCA Victoria Point General Manager Adrien Fitzpatrick said via the app, the business offered a $0 joining fee on all their direct debit memberships in January and were blown away by the results.
"A total of 262 new members took up the offer during the month-long promotion," Mr Fitzpatrick said.
Redlands Coast Chamber of Commerce president Rebecca Young urged businesses to embrace the opportunity the app provided to connect with potential customers and each another.
She said the app would be used as a platform for the community to vote at the 2020 Redland Business and Retail Awards.
"Like our businesses, COVID has forced us to look at the way we conduct the business of the Chamber, moving away from paper-based entries not only mitigates public health risks but provides an exciting opportunity to move online," she said.
Shoppers can download the app via Apple App store or Google Play and could enable notifications on their phone to receive deal alerts as they walk past shops.
