By Alabama NewsCenter Staff
REV Birmingham has launched a monthlong promotion to boost foot and web traffic to local businesses struggling because of COVID-19.
Aug. 1-31, The Great Receipt Race, presented by Bham Now and sponsored by Verizon, challenges customers to text their receipts from Birmingham businesses for chances to win prizes.
“Birmingham needs small businesses to survive and thrive, and Birmingham needs customers to support businesses,” said Rob Buddo, of REV Birmingham and project manager for The Great Receipt Race. “REV is using the hashtag #BhamNeedsYou to ask people across the city to take action in whatever ways they can to help the city move forward. Playing The Great Receipt Race is an easy way to answer that call.”
To start playing The Great Receipt Race, participants should text RACE to 267-TEXTREV (267-839-8738). The participant will receive instructions to start sharing proof of local purchases throughout August. Receipts must be from businesses within the city of Birmingham that have three or fewer total locations; each receipt submitted is a chance to win.
Winners will be randomly selected each week from the people who text receipts. Each week’s prize package has products and gift cards from local shops and restaurants. REV will be posting prize updates regularly on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
In addition, throughout National Black Business Month in August, Urban Impact and REV will promote The Great Receipt Race’s take each Friday. Receipts submitted on Fridays from black-owned businesses will earn each submitter two chances to win instead of one, and Urban Impact and REV will collaborate to spotlight on social media many of Birmingham’s black business owners.
“To say that small businesses are vital to Birmingham is an understatement,” said David Fleming, REV Birmingham president and CEO. “Our businesses have given us so much of what makes Birmingham unique. Now it’s time that we give them as much support as we can to get through COVID-19 and beyond.”
In addition to purchases in-store, curbside and online, customers can support their favorite businesses by sharing kind words about them on social media and leaving positive online reviews. REV encourages people across Birmingham to look for ways to contribute to a healthy business community.
REV is distributing limited print marketing materials for The Great Receipt Race to businesses downtown and in Woodlawn. However, all businesses within the city of Birmingham with three or less total locations are invited to promote the The Great Receipt Race, using social media and self-print materials found in the toolkit on the webpage.
