On line local shopping
The local Chamber of Commerce has teamed with AlgomaMarketplace.com to introduce a newer expanded online local shopping experience.
Conceived from a desire to help local businesses embrace e-commerce opportunities during the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic, the Algoma Marketplace first launched this past April with a focus on supporting the local economy in Sault Ste. Marie through a Shop Local initiative.
Based on local demand, site developers moved quickly to also include restaurants, which were struggling with extremely high commission rates charged by large international, online meal ordering apps.
Chamber of Commerce chief executive officer Rory Ring noted that with the annual holiday shopping season quickly approaching, and with many shoppers still hesitant to go to stores and restaurants or simply wanting to limit the amount of in-person shopping they are doing, online shopping will present an attractive alternative.
To that end, the challenge for Sault Ste. Marie businesses will be to capture some of that consumer traffic back from the large, international online shopping sites.
“Now, more than ever, we are emphasizing the importance of supporting local businesses… businesses that stepped up for our community during the pandemic… businesses that have supported our local charities, our fundraisers and our sports teams… businesses that employ our neighbors, our family members and our kids,” noted Ring.
The Algoma Marketplace offers opportunities for businesses looking to take their first steps into online selling as well as businesses that might already offer online ordering but would benefit from the additional exposure a larger, online marketplace offers.
Vendor registration is free and the catalogue set-up is simple. Algoma Market Place also offers free training and assistance for merchants looking for help on how to run their online business.
Local shoppers will find the Algoma Marketplace service secure and easy to use. Many of the merchants and restaurants on Algoma Marketplace offer delivery and curbside pick-up.
Sault Ste. Marie Chamber of Commerce reminds, before taking online shopping out-of-town, take it local at AlgomaMarketplace.com.
Shoppers can find also find links to hundreds of local Chamber member businesses on the Sault Ste. Marie Chamber of Commerce website at www.ssmcoc.com