Lockdown boost: Harrogate shops offered free help with online platform to win new customers

Work under way on three new housing developments in Harrogate district

The York & North Yorkshire Growth Hub is reminding retailers from selected towns and cities across North Yorkshire that they are offering a free 12-month subscription to a community led shopping platform, ShopAppy.com.

To add further support for these businesses during the third national lockdown, this offer is now being combined with support and guidance from local marketing experts to help them to continue trading and attract new online customers.

The Growth Hub has partnered with digital marketing agencies, Intandem Communications and Pick & Mix Marketing to help retailers maximise their presence on the platform and improve their social media and digital marketing skills so they can drive as many as visitors as possible to their online shop.

ShopAppy.com is a commission free platform which allows retailers to stay open for business enabling owners to list their products and services for local shoppers to purchase. Goods can be delivered by local delivery partners or collected in a way that complies with social distancing rules.

In Harrogate, there are currently 20 businesses using the platform including greetings cards business, Pictur-esque Cards, butchers, J E Audsley and jewellery store, Lola Rossa Jewellery.

For consumers, ShopAppy.com showcases their local shops and services all in one place enabling them to shop conveniently with a local conscience whilst supporting their local economy. Consumers are able to sign up to the platform and select their location to browse and purchase a range of goods.

A wide range of shops and services from across the North Yorkshire region including Harrogate, Malton, York, Selby, Northallerton and Thirsk are now selling on ShopAppy.com.

Charlotte Gale, owner of Harrogate's Pictur-esque Cards said: “Lockdown bought many challenges for small business owners, including myself. Many of my usual retail outlets either had to close or offer a reduced product range in store and customers were forced to change their shopping habits. The funding provided by the Growth Hub will enable me to access new markets via ShopAppy and the support from both organisations has been invaluable.”

Eligible businesses can still benefit from a free 12-month ShopAppy subscription on behalf of the Growth Hub. To find out more and register for the offer, visit https://www.ynygrowthhub.com/how-we-can-help/12-months-shopappy-membership/.

Andrew Raby, York & North Yorkshire Growth Hub Manager said: “Now more than ever, it is important to be able to support local businesses in a way that is convenient to consumers.

"We are thrilled to be able to continue to support businesses using ShopAppy during the national lockdown so that they can continue trading during these difficult times, and we hope they will take advantage of this digital marketing support programme.

"Combining ShopAppy with their existing physical retail offering will, we hope create resilience longer term by giving businesses a selling platform.”

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