The ‘Shop Small’ Movement Puts The Spotlight on Small Businesses

Supporting small, local businesses—pandemic or otherwise—is always important. A year into the coronavirus pandemic, however, it’s become even more vital to support and help out small businesses, especially the owners and employees. I tend to find some of my best purchases from small, local businesses. It makes me feel great to know that I’m supporting someone’s livelihood and passion while soothing my need for retail therapy. 

This March, BDO announced that it is coming together with its partner American Express to support local businesses hit hardest by the pandemic. Through this partnership, American Express is bringing its global Shop Small movement to the Philippines. 

BDO and American Express are launching a special Shop Small offer of 5x Rewards* for purchases made at participating Shop Small merchants using BDO-issued American Express Cards from March 15 to June 30, 2021.

“Together with BDO, we are bringing Shop Small to the Philippines to lend our support to local businesses. They are such an important part of our lives, and they have been particularly affected by the pandemic,” said Sanjiv Malhotra, Vice President and General Manager, Global Network Services, South East Asia and South Pacific, American Express. “We want to play our part to support them and we hope our Shop Small movement encourages everyone to support their local businesses.”

The Shop Small movement began in 2010 in the United States as a way to celebrate the contributions that local businesses have made to their communities and the economy, as well as to encourage shoppers to support these businesses. Since then, the movement has reached countries all over the world, including Singapore, Australia, the United Kingdom, India, and Japan. 

“Shop Small is one of the ways we can support local businesses in the country,” said Ma. Nannette R. Regala, BDO Senior Vice President and Consumer Banking Marketing Head. “With this initiative, we’re encouraging Filipino shoppers to do their share and help small and medium enterprises bounce back. Every spend can help make a difference.”

To learn more about the Shop Small movement and view the complete list of partner merchants, visit americanexpress.com.ph/shopsmall.

Photo by Tim Mossholder on Unsplash