Co-op shoppers can now buy groceries through a Scottish gift card initiative as the retailer looks to encourage more customers to ‘shop local’.
The Scotland Local Loves Gift Card was introduced by Scotland’s Towns Partnership and Miconex in 2021, and is designed to support local economies by helping shoppers to keep spending in communities.
Operating more than 300 stores across Scotland, Co-op’s participation in these shop-local initiatives comes ahead of preparations for Christmas, allowing customers to stock up on festive grocery essentials.
The convenience giant joins a range of national and local retailers whose businesses accept the cards, allowing customers to simply present them at the till of participating stores.
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Co-op operations director Kate McCrae Graham said: “Co-op stores operate in more than 300 towns, villages and cities across Scotland – operating at the heart of local life, and forming part of the fabric of the community, while creating local jobs and, supporting farmers, growers and suppliers.
“We are pleased to put our name to the cards that are designed to support local high streets and economies.”
Scotland’s Towns Partnership interim chief officer Kimberley Guthrie said: “The addition of the Co-op and its network of stores is fantastic. The greater the number of places in which people can spend, the greater the reasons are for people to spend more time in their community, supporting an even wider range of local businesses.
“The ripple effects of the gift card can be fantastic, helping to build better places.”
