Across Scotland, micro and small businesses are the backbone of local economies – from family-run shops to football clubs and community cafes. The Scotland Loves Local Gift Card initiative has become a powerful tool in helping these enterprises thrive by keeping spending local and strengthening connections between residents, retailers and regional economies. Each of these stories highlights how local gift cards are helping businesses grow while encouraging communities to shop, eat and spend locally.
Kilmarnock FC
Founded in 1869, Kilmarnock Football Club is Scotland’s oldest professional football club and one of East Ayrshire’s largest retailers. When the East Ayrshire Gift Card launched in 2020, the club quickly signed up, seeing it as a natural extension of its strong community focus.
Through initiatives like the Killie Community, the club has long used football as a force for good – and supporting the local gift card was another way to give back. By accepting the card in their shop, Kilmarnock FC helps drive local spending and encourages residents to shop locally.
For the club, the benefits are twofold: increased sales in their store and stronger ties with the community. The simplicity of accepting the card and the lack of additional costs make it an easy and worthwhile initiative. ‘As one of the biggest retailers in East Ayrshire, it’s important that we lead by example and show how the community can work together to support the local area,’ said General Manager Gregg McEwan.
The East Ayrshire Gift Card has also helped local families, particularly when the council used it to support low-income households – a move the club saw reflected in more families being able to purchase their first Killie kit.
Kilmarnock FC continues to champion the initiative by promoting the gift card to its fanbase and encouraging other organisations to get involved. For them, the card is about more than transactions, it’s a way of strengthening community connections and ensuring the local economy thrives.
David Cox
David Cox Butchers, a third-generation family business in Bridgeton, was one of the most popular local shops where residents spent their £105 Scotland Loves Local Glasgow Gift Cards. Following Glasgow City Council’s distribution of 85,000 cards, the butchers saw a surge in customers almost overnight.
Owner George Gilmore said the initiative was a ‘huge boost’ for his business, with many people using their gift cards to stock up on fresh meat or purchase Super Saver packs to share with family. The shop’s Facebook post announcing they accepted the card helped spread the word, but most customers came in through word of mouth.
The increased footfall not only supported David Cox Butchers during a challenging economic period but also encouraged many new customers to shop locally for the first time, and to keep coming back. Gilmore noted that the Scotland Loves Local Glasgow Gift Card has ‘done what it set out to do’ by strengthening community ties and showing people the value of supporting their local businesses.
Chan’s
Chan’s is one of Glasgow’s largest Chinese supermarkets and cash-and-carry wholesalers. Founded in 1985 by Henry Chan’s parents, the family-run business imports a wide range of Oriental foods and catering supplies from across the Far East, supplying both the public and restaurants
throughout Scotland.
In summer 2023, Chan’s marked its 38th anniversary by giving each of its 43 staff a £50 Glasgow Gift Card as a token of appreciation. The business had remained open throughout the pandemic, and the gift was a way to thank staff for their dedication during challenging years.
Henry Chan, Managing Director, said the team had previously used supermarket vouchers for staff rewards but found them limiting. The Glasgow Gift Card, accepted by both national and independent businesses, offered more choice and inclusivity for a diverse workforce. ‘Everyone has different preferences, so we wanted a reward that everyone could enjoy – while keeping the money local,’ he said.
The process of ordering and distributing the cards was simple, and the feedback from staff was overwhelmingly positive. Many used their cards to treat their families to a meal out, a welcome luxury amid the cost-of-living pressures. For Chan’s, the initiative was not just about rewarding employees but also about reinvesting in the local economy and supporting other businesses across Glasgow.
Brawband
BrawBand’s partnership with the Scotland Loves Local Gift Card has been well received, giving customers a fun way to explore their communities while reinforcing the company’s commitment to supporting the Scottish economy.
All of these stories demonstrate the ripple effect of local loyalty. The Scotland Loves Local Gift Card has proven to be a flexible and effective way to support micro businesses. By offering a practical alternative to national gift cards, it ensures that every pound spent stays within Scotland, benefiting local shops, services and communities. As more embrace the initiative, the collective impact continues to build stronger, more resilient local economies – one card at a time.
To find out more and to place a Scotland Loves Local Gift Card business order, please visit: https://scotlandgiftslocal.com/business-orders/
