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Canada Convenience Store News |

Sometimes, operating a business during a period of constant disruption can feel like lonely business indeed. During the past 10 months of pandemic lockdowns and restrictions, convenience stores were deemed essential and charged with making changes across businesses to safeguard employees and customers. 

In some cases, operators relied on associations for help, others adapted with the help of fellow business owners and a lot of ingenuity. Many have asked Convenience Store News Canada for guidance in terms of best practices and tips for keeping everyone safe. 

Now a not-for-profit corporation aims to bring together business owners across the country to tackle what’s being called a “consumer confidence crisis” and communicate that Canadian businesses—both big and small—are putting health and safety first.  

POST Promise/Promesse APRES is a national, bilingual private sector-led initiative designed to help Canadians confidently and safely shop and work during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

It launched in June and the movement is gaining momentum among business owners looking for best practices to adopt during the pandemic. The five key steps that make up the POST Promise are in line with what is recommended by the Public Health Agency of Canada.

Laura Hearn, president and executive director of POST Promise, says it’s about consistency: “One of the things I get asked a lot is, ‘we’re already following various protocols and procedures. Why would we need POST Promise?’ What we know, however, is that it is just as important to make customers feel safe, as it is to keep them safe. When all businesses are doing something slightly different and communicating it differently, there is a lot of confusion on what the right approach is.”

Retailers who “make the promise” are able to use and display the POST Promise logo, which acts as a clear indication to employees and customers that they are doing their part to protect Canadians’ health and safety during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The POST Promise is supposed to sit on top of what businesses are doing and to be a consistent approach conveyed through a consistent visual cue, hence the word mark. The beauty is it is applicable to all businesses regardless of size and other factors,” says Hearn. “You have large companies who have really strategic and complicated policies in place and a marketing team that can communicate it. However, for small or medium-sized businesses that don’t necessarily have that expertise, this means you don’t have to go out and create something of your own. You can be part of a national collective. Customers are seeing the same thing when they come to shop with you or to do their banking or restaurant dining. There is a lot of power in what that conveys to consumers and employees.”

While POST Promise is relevant to all types of business, Hearn says it’s particularly effective for the convenience industry. “With the sheer amount of foot traffic that convenience stores get, they are interacting with a lot of customers that have varying degrees of comfort.”

Organizations, including Retail Council of Canada and Canadian Federation of Independent Businesses, and all levels of government, have already endorsed this initiative. 

There is no cost to join—sponsors and donors are supporting the group—and c-stores can quickly tap into resources.  

“It’s not like they make the promise and that is it,” says Hearn. “It is really important to equip businesses with the tools that they need to let their employees and customers know that they have made the promise and what that signifies. We provide things, like sample social media copy and assets so that they have a social presence to use. Or, simple email copy so they can send an email blast to their consumer base—of course they can tweak if needed. We provide frequently asked questions that they can share with employees so that if their consumers have questions they have answers.”

C-store operators who make the promise automatically get access to a free downloadable PDF of the POST Promise logo, which they can print and display on premise or use in online communications. Participating businesses can also purchase a kit ($10), which includes additional communication tools like window decals, posters and tent cards for use in store. 

“This is not going away any time soon, unfortunately,” says Hearn. “There is so much uncertainty—now more than ever we need to have something that provides that peace of mind.”

December 16, 2020 – Burlington, ON | Following a very successful first round of the program, Team Burlington (Burlington Economic Development, Burlington Chamber of Commerce, Burlington Downtown Business Association, Aldershot Village BIA and Tourism Burlington), in partnership with the City of Burlington and POST Promise is pleased to announce that $117,392 will be awarded across 94 Burlington businesses in the second round of the Burlington Safe Restart COVID-19 Business Relief Grant.  

The grant provides eligible businesses with a one-time grant of up to $2500 that can be used towards related COVID-19 costs. Costs include?PPE?and renovations to physical space to allow businesses to properly adhere to public health guidelines. After a successful first round of funding where $124,689 was awarded across 59 businesses, Team Burlington looked to open a second round of funding in order to help even more businesses get the support they need. 

Since this program was initially rolled out, the Ontario government has also launched a PPE grant for businesses known as Ontario’s Main Street Relief Grant. This program provides eligible small businesses with a one-time grant of up to $1,000 to cover PPE costs. Efforts were made to ensure Round 2 of the Burlington Safe Restart Grant aligned with the provincial program in order to help small businesses get access to the capital they need without duplication. For this second round of funding, Team Burlington adjusted the assessment criteria to ensure alignment was achieved and deliver the funds to the businesses that have been the hardest hit due to COVID-19. 

The Burlington Safe Restart COVID-19 Business Relief Grant was a direct?outcome of the Burlington Economic Recovery Network (BERN), which aimed to create and?deliver an innovative new program that would?provide?financial support to?Burlington’s?small business community during COVID-19.  

The program is also proud to partner with POST Promise, a private sector-led initiative, for support to provide?essential information on how to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. All grant recipients are required to make the promise through the POST Promise initiative.  

Recipients in the second round come from a range of industries?including salons, fitness facilities, retail stores and many more, all of which have been dramatically?impacted?due to COVID-19. A full list of companies supported can be found online here.

QUOTES 

Burlington Mayor, Marianne Meed Ward  

“COVID-19 has proven to be incredibly challenging for our business community. Our local small businesses remains resilient and respectful, and for that I am incredibly proud. Even though up to $2,500 was available, our business community only asked for what they needed and made it possible to support more applicants. I would like to thank our grant recipients for this and their tireless commitment to our community and their resilience and fortitude in getting through this difficult time. We see you, and we support you.” 

Anita Cassidy, Executive Director, Burlington Economic Development 

“Supporting our economy and rebuilding consumer trust is critical right now, so we are happy that in addition to the Burlington Safe Restart grant, the Ontario government is stepping up to support small businesses during these challenging times. We wanted to ensure our program compliments the Ontario Main Street Relief Grant program rather than compete with it as well as ensure the hardest hit businesses are receiving the support they need. We applaud all of the businesses who doing everything they can to keep customers safe, especially as we move into the holiday season.” 

Laura Hearn, President & Executive Director, POST Promise  

“The POST Promise is thrilled to be partnering with Team Burlington, the City of Burlington and the Burlington Safe Restart Program once again. Now, more than ever, we all need to come together to support our local businesses. We congratulate all grant recipients and businesses who have made the POST Promise and commend their efforts to keep their customers and employees safe during this pandemic.” 

-30- Media Contact

Claire Green

Manager, Marketing and Attraction

Burlington Economic Development

Claire.Green@burlington.ca

TORONTO, Nov. 10, 2020 /CNW/ – In advance of Canada’s busiest retail season, Giant Tiger is continuing to champion efforts to keep its customers and employees safe by joining a national initiative called POST Promise as a founding partner.

POST Promise/Promesse APRES is a national, bilingual private sector-led initiative designed to help Canadians confidently and safely shop and work during the COVID-19 pandemic. Businesses who “make the promise” commit to implementing five key actions, which were developed in consultation with the Public Health Agency of Canada, to help stop the spread of COVID-19.  Participating businesses are able to display the POST Promise logo which will indicate to their customers that they are doing their part to protect everyone’s health and safety.  Each week hundreds of thousands of Canadians shop or work at businesses that have made the POST Promise.

As part of the national retailer’s commitment to keeping its local communities safe during this challenging time, Giant Tiger was one of the very first companies to join the POST Promise shortly after the program launched in June.  Each of the over 250 Giant Tiger locations nation-wide proudly display POST Promise signage throughout its stores.

“Providing a healthy and safe place for Canadians to shop for exactly what they need and want for their families is our number one priority,” said Paul Wood, President and CEO of Giant Tiger Stores Limited.  “We’ve taken numerous steps from the onset of the pandemic, based on guidance from public health authorities, to help maintain a safe and healthy in-store shopping environment. Partnering with POST Promise is just one of the many ways that our over 250 stores across Canada can publicly demonstrate our unwavering commitment.”

“POST Promise is proud to partner with Giant Tiger who has been a leader in health and safety since the start of this pandemic and shares our deep commitment to keeping our local communities safe,” said Laura Hearn, President & Executive Director of the POST Promise. “As we head into the most important retail season of the year this November and December, it is even more critical that Canadian businesses come together to do everything possible to protect both the safety of consumers as well as our local economies. I thank Giant Tiger for its tremendous support and encourage all businesses to make the POST Promise.”

“As consumers continue to be concerned with health and safety due to rising COVID-19 cases in different regions of the country, it is more important than ever before to ensure measures are in place to keep customers and employees safe.” said Diane J. Brisebois, President & CEO of Retail Council of Canada. “Business across the country are joining POST Promise to help restore confidence and protect Canadians. Together, we must safeguard the most important economic buying season and the Retail Council of Canada applauds Giant Tiger for doing its part to help keep its customers and employees feeling safe – especially during this holiday shopping period.”

About The POST Promise

POST Promise/Promesse APRES is a national, bilingual private sector-led initiative, in collaboration with various levels of government,  designed to help Canadians confidently and safely shop and work in local businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic. Businesses who “make the promise” commit to implementing five key steps, which were developed in consultation with the Public Health Agency of Canada, to help stop the spread of COVID-19. Participating businesses are able to display the POST Promise/Promesse APRES logo – a national symbol that acts as a clear indication they are doing their part to protect their customers’ and employees’ health and safety.  The Post Promise is run by a national not-for-profit corporation that was built specifically for this effort. To learn more about the POST Promise initiative, visit www.postpromise.com.

About Giant Tiger 
Giant Tiger is the leading Canadian-owned family discount store, committed to providing on-trend family fashions, groceries and everyday household needs. The privately held company has over 250 locations across Canada and employs over 10,000 team members. You can also shop online at gianttiger.com. All Giant Tiger locations are locally owned or operated by a team member who knows the community. The friendly stores with the iconic yellow logo are not only where Canadians shop more and spend less, but also are proud to be known as retailer of choice. #GTCommunityProud #GTCanadaProud

For media inquiries, please contact:
Laura Hearn
President & Executive Director
POST Promise
E: lhearn@postpromise.com 
P: (647)213-4631

SOURCE POST Promise

Inhalt.com

Fifty-nine businesses will share close to $125,000 as a result of the Burlington Safe Restart program.

The grant is geared to provide some necessary relief to local businesses that have been adversely affect by COVID-19.

Burlington’s business support organizations, known as Team Burlington (Burlington Economic Development, Burlington Chamber of Commerce, Burlington Downtown Business Association, Aldershot Village BIA and Tourism Burlington), developed the plan and partnering with the City of Burlington and POST Promise, launched the Burlington Safe Restart COVID-19 Business Relief Grant on September 29.

“The Burlington Safe Restart Program will help ease some of the financial impacts that COVID-19 has had on our business community,” said Anita Cassidy, Executive Director, Burlington Economic Development. “The importance of restarting the economy and rebuilding consumer and employee trust was something Team Burlington was hearing loud and clear from our business community, and we knew we needed to find a way to provide direct, hands-on support. We are thrilled that The City of Burlington has stepped up to support our business community. Additionally, the partnership with POST Promise has equipped us to ensure our businesses are doing everything they can to protect themselves, their employees, and their customers, and I’m thrilled to have them on board.”

The response to the program saw more than 95 applications received in the two-week application window that closed on October 13. Future phases of the program are expected.

The businesses that receive funds fall across a broad range of industries including hospitality, retail, health, wellness and sports. 

The money can be used towards related COVID-19 costs such as PPE and renovations to physical space to allow businesses to properly adhere to public health guidelines.

As part of the eligibility requirements, recipients are also required to make the POST Promise, a private sector-led initiative that provides essential information on how to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

A complete list of Burlington businesses that will receive the funds, and the amount, can be found at bedc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/List-of-companies-that-received-the-Burlington-Safe-Restart-Grant.pdf

Lethbridge Herald

A new campaign sponsored by the Lethbridge Chamber of Commerce and the Lethbridge Region Economic Recovery Task Force is encouraging local business owners to make the “POST Promise” to help build consumer confidence that all necessary steps are being taken to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

The local effort is part of a national POST (People Outside Safely Together) Promise campaign where businesses can make a pledge to take five key steps to keep consumers safe by helping foster environments where physical distancing is maintained, washing and sanitizing of hands occur regularly, workplaces are being kept clean and disinfected, people are being encouraged to stay home if unwell, and where respiratory etiquette, including the wearing of masks, is being followed when recommended,

Businesses making the POST Promise can register their commitment to these principles online at the Lethbridge Chamber of Commerce and receive a special POST Promise logo to display for customers. They will also gain access to free resources to help create a safe environment for their employees and customers.

Lethbridge Chamber of Commerce CEO Cyndi Vos said the city’s economic recovery from COVID continues to be slow in some sectors, and businesses should be looking to do anything they can to reassure customers they are making every effort possible to prevent the spread of the disease in their management practices.

“We are excited to get this going with the Recovery Task Force,” she said, “and this is just to showcase there are many businesses out there already doing these five steps. But to boost consumer confidence, knowing that you’re part of this program and to display the (logo) badge – it’s just to let consumers walking into your building know you’ve done all these five steps.”

Consumer confidence is everything, said Vos, when it comes to maintaining a business in these times when cases of COVID-19 appear to be on the rise in recent weeks.

“That is the big step moving forward,” she confirmed, “knowing that we are taking all these steps seriously. Certain industries have (rebounded) and certain industries are still struggling. So I wouldn’t say that it is at equal balance across the board; especially with the limitations on how many people you can have in a space while respecting social distancing. People are starting to get out and about, but there are people that avoid going into a place if there is any level of uncertainty. So what this recognition does; it gives that consumer who is looking and is aware of that certainty the business is putting protocol into place.”

For more information on the POST Promise program visit http://www.postpromise.com. Those business owners wishing to pledge their commitment to the promise can contact the Lethbridge Chamber of Commerce directly.

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