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“I spend and I earn money!” This town is launching a “commerce pass” to boost the local economy

It's a small card that gives residents purchasing power back and revitalizes local commerce: the commerce pass is gaining fans in Ussel in Corrèze. This loyalty card is offered by merchants in the Corrèze city, it allows you to fund a kitty on local purchases.

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This little black card is the Ussel Commerce pass. This loyalty system was implemented in two thirds of the town's stores in 2022. It is available in around forty stores: grocery stores, fashion and decoration stores, bars and restaurants. This system has already attracted more than 6,000 customers, all of whom live in Ussel.

In a boutique dedicated to women's fashion, Amandine finishes her shopping. She draws her loyalty card with pleasure.

I spend, I earn money, I can spend it again, it’s win-win!

Amandine

Customer of the “Modesteem” store in Ussel

Ussel merchants offer a business pass to retain customers.

© C. Belard, France Télévisions

The commerce pass has been a real success in this fashion boutique. According to the listing of the manager of “Modesteem”, 533 customers carry the card. “It’s true that for us, it’s a real contribution, it boosts our sales enormously”confirms Amélie Guino, the shopkeeper.

For each purchase, 2% of the receipt is donated. Registrants can spend them at merchants of their choice, members of the Commerce pass. Because the aim of this card is to encourage Usselois to consume locally. “We were contacted from the start by our customers. Really, on the first day, that was the key question: do you have the Commerce pass? So we had anticipated it, we had requested it, for logistical reasons, she arrived a little later. But it was really a boost.”continues Amélie Guino.

And this boost is the mayor’s objective. Two years ago, the Commerce pass was launched in collaboration with four major brands. Today, the pass represents 4.6 million euros in turnover, distributed among participating stores. With 100,000 euros raised for 67,000 euros reinjected into the economy, it is a great success, says the Ussel town hall.

According to Mayor Christophe Arfeuille: “The desire was really to care for them, to support them, to be with them on a daily basis.”

Because we know that commerce in a city center is complicated, by creating this Commerce pass our desire was to be present with them.

Christophe Arfeuille

Mayor (LR) of Ussel


Ussel merchants offer a business pass to retain customers.

© C. Belard, France Télévisions

This loyalty scheme for Ussel merchants has been extended for 4 years, in order to continue to support the local economy.

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