Shoppers rally around small businesses amid tough times,
American Express research reveals

• Over half (52%) of small businesses say customers are choosing to shop small to support them during the challenging economic environment
• Research comes as American Express' Shop Small campaign returns this month, incentivising Cardmembers to spend at participating small businesses across the UK

London, UK, 16 June 2022 - Small businesses are receiving much-needed support from their customer base according to new research from American Express, released to coincide with its summer Shop Small campaign that helps support the nation's local and independent businesses.

The research[1], conducted by Opinium on behalf of American Express, found that over half (52%) of small businesses believe customers are choosing to shop with small businesses to support them during the current challenging trading environment, brought about by a range of cost and supply chain pressures.

This support is reflected in the number of new customers shopping with small independents; more than half (55%) of small businesses report seeing a rise in new customers purchasing from their business over the last six months.

When it comes to the future, two-thirds (66%) of small business respondents say they are expecting sales to grow over the next year, with over a third (35%) stating they are optimistic about prospects for their business.

Dan Edelman, Vice President and General Manager, UK Merchant Services at American Express said:"After the many challenges of the last few years, it's heartening see that customer support for the nation's valuable small businesses remains strong. We're proud to champion these businesses, which is why we're encouraging our Cardmembers to show their appreciation by shopping locally with the return of Shop Small this month, available at more locations than ever before."

First launched 10 years ago, Shop Small helps independent businesses attract customers through their doors and is just one of the ways American Express champions small businesses all year round. The company is founder and Principal Supporter of Small Business Saturday, which celebrates its 10^th anniversary this year (3 December).

Michelle Ovens, Director of Small Business Saturday UK, added:"Such optimism shown towards small businesses is fantastic to see, especially as we navigate through a challenging time when they need our support more than ever. Choosing to back campaigns such as Shop Small and Small Business Saturday is an excellent way to get behind our nation's independents and give them the recognition they deserve."

Between 20- 26 June, American Express Cardmembers will receive a £5 statement credit when they spend £15 or more at participating small businesses across the UK. This Offer, funded by American Express, can be used up to 5 times, once per participating small business location, meaning that Cardmembers can earn up to £25 back in statement credits. The total number of participating locations this summer has risen by almost a fifth (19%) compared to the previous campaign in December 2021.

Terms, locations and payment restrictions apply. For full terms and conditions please visit the Shop Small Hub. Offer excludes Corporate and Pre-Paid Cards.

ENDS

Notes to Editors

Terms & Conditions:

• These Offer Terms set out the key terms of our Shop Small Offer. Please make sure you read these together with our General Offer Terms which contain important qualifying conditions that you should read. If any term set out below is inconsistent with the General Offer Terms, the term below will apply.

• This Offer is available from 20/06/2022 until 23:59 UK time on 26/06/2022.

• This Offer is only intended for UK Cardmembers who are the targeted recipients of this Offer.

• To participate in this Offer, you must save this Offer to your qualifying American Express Card and make a qualifying purchase in-store from a participating UK small business before the Offer End Date.

• In addition to the types of Cards excluded under the general Offer Terms, purchases usingPre-Paid Cards will not qualify for this Offer.

• This Offer only applies to purchases in GBP on the Card to which the Offer is saved. This includes purchases using a Card loaded into a mobile payment wallet.

• This Offer is only valid for purchases made on-site at UK small businesses that are participating in our Shop Small Offer. Purchases made online from a small business' website will not qualify for this Offer.

• To search for participating UK Shop Small locations please visit the Shop Small Map. Eligible locations will be highlighted with a Shop Small badge.

• Small businesses listed on the Shop Small Map may change. Business location, operating hours and other information provided on the Shop Small Map may vary or contain errors. Please contact businesses directly to check they are open and accept American Express. We reserve the right to change or cancel this Offer at any time.

• Post Office spend is excluded.

• To qualify, a single purchase must be for at least £15. Buy now pay later purchases are excluded from this Offer. Please see the general Offer Terms for more information about excluded transactions.

• If you make a qualifying purchase, a £5 statement credit will be applied to your Card. You can receive up to 5 statement credits per Card, but only one statement credit per participating small business location. Multiple purchases made in a single purchase transaction will only qualify as one purchase for the purposes of this Offer. When we calculate how many qualifying purchases have occurred, we will not include purchases made by any additional Cardholder(s). Purchases made by an additional Cardholder will qualify for this Offer separately where the additional Cardholder saves this Offer to their Card and makes a qualifying purchase from a participating small business before the Offer End Date.

• Qualifying purchases must be billed to your Card Account by the Offer End Date. If the small business does not charge your Card before the Offer End Date, your purchase will not qualify for this Offer.

• The statement credit should appear on your Card Account statement within five days from the date you made a qualifying purchase but may take up to 90 days from the Offer End Date. Please refer to the general Offer Terms for information about when statement credits can be lost.

• A statement credit may be reversed if a qualifying purchase is refunded or cancelled. Any misuse, as reasonably determined by us, relating to your redemption of American Express Offers or any previous American Express Offers and promotions may result in a statement credit being reversed, and ineligibility from future American Express Offers and other promotions. This reversal may take place up to a maximum of 180 days after the Offer End Date.

• We will use your personal information such as name, email address, Account number and transaction information to manage your participation in the Offer and to track your spend. You also acknowledge that American Express will send you communications to administer the Offer you have opted to be part of (such as to confirm enrolment and redemption of this Offer). We will only ever use your personal information strictly in accordance with the Cardmember Privacy Statement.

• By saving the Offer to your Card, you agree to all our Offer terms

¹ All figures are based on fieldwork conducted by Opinium on behalf of American Express. Fieldwork was undertaken between 27^th May-6^th June 2022, amongst 1,008 SME senior decision makers, including more than 200 at small businesses of 10-49 employees in the UK.

AMERICAN EXPRESS
Mike Berry
[email protected]

FIRSTLIGHT
Rosie Stafford
+44 (0)7769 618500
[email protected]

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