The COVID-19 pandemic has caused hundreds of businesses in Markham to shut their doors. Employees have been laid off, companies have struggled to pay their bills, and businesses are wondering if they are going to survive.
Luckily, there are several things that residents can do to support these local businesses and help them thrive.
Order Takeout or Choose Curbside Delivery
For many stores and restaurants, even if you cannot go inside, they haven’t shut down their doors completely. You can call and place your order. Many local restaurants provide both curbside pickup and home delivery options. When placing your order, make sure you are aware of any specific pick-up processes the company may require.
Purchase Gift Cards
If you don’t need the service or the goods from a local company at the present time, or if the services are temporarily unavailable, it doesn’t mean you can’t support the local business. Rather, you can purchase a gift card to use when the business is open once again. For example, contact your favourite salon and buy a certificate for a haircut or contact a local hotel and pre-pay for a night’s stay. This will increase the cash flow of these local establishments and this is a simple way to support multiple businesses throughout town.
Write Online Reviews
Do you have a restaurant that you love? What about a toy store that always has the best customer service? Write online reviews for these various establishments. Statistics show that 91% of young consumers trust online reviews. Plus, for every one-star review rating that a company receives, it can increase that business’s revenue by 5% to 9%. Writing a review is a simple way to help a business and it doesn’t take much time out of your day.
Post About Your Experience on Social Media
Did you recently order takeout from a local restaurant in town? Take a picture and share your experience on social media. This may seem like a simple thing to do but it can encourage your local friends to visit certain restaurants and businesses as well. The picture can also show the quality of the product you receive, which is important for many buyers. This is a terrific way for local companies to receive some good press.
Supporting local companies is a great way to help the economy in Markham thrive. What other ways have you supported local businesses during this uncertain time?
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