First in a new series of immersive shopping experiences
supporting small businesses begins in Fort Langley, B.C. on November 30
TORONTO, Nov. 25,
2024 /CNW/ - This holiday season, Mastercard
invites you to step into a storybook world and celebrate the heart
and soul of small businesses with an enchanting, immersive new
shopping experience throughout the town of Fort Langley, B.C. Families can rediscover the
joy of shopping local and embrace the warmth of a town where every
store has a story.
For Mastercard, this isn't just about holiday shopping, it's
about supporting communities and the small businesses that power
them year-round. Small businesses play a crucial role in
strengthening local economies, contributing 35.1 per cent of
Canada's private sector GDP in
2020. This year in Fort Langley,
Mastercard brings that mission to life: the shopping experience
will boost foot traffic and sales during this critical holiday
shopping season, showcasing the company's commitment to helping
small businesses thrive through innovation and community
support.
"When we shop local, we're not just buying a product or service,
we're supporting the dreams and ambitions of small business
owners," said Nishant Raina, Vice
President, Small & Medium-Sized Enterprises, Mastercard,
Canada. " Our commitment extends
beyond payments, to providing access to tools, resources, funding
opportunities, and partnerships to help businesses thrive because
when small businesses win, everyone wins."
Local businesses shine as families enjoy a festive
wonderland
When families arrive in downtown Fort
Langley, they will receive an original storybook created by
Mastercard in support of small businesses. The book features local
businesses and tells the tale of Cranberry, a sparkle sprite on a
mission to bring cheer to Mr. Crumm, the town's mail carrier. As
families shop at local stores, they'll uncover parts of the story,
brought to life by enchanting storefront displays and in-store art
installations. With every purchase made with a Mastercard at
participating businesses, visitors get a free collectible puzzle
piece featuring one of the town's landmarks. When all eight pieces
are collected, shoppers will bring home the beautiful Fort Langley townscape.
Mastercard is also teaming up with renowned Canadian
entrepreneur Jillian Harris to
celebrate its commitment to small businesses and encourage people
to shop local. Mastercard and Harris share a common goal of
uplifting small businesses, recognizing their essential role in
shaping the identity and vibrancy of communities across
Canada.
"As an entrepreneur, I understand the dedication, love, and
hard work it takes to build a successful business," said Harris.
"I've always believed in the power of shopping local, and I'm
excited to partner with Mastercard this holiday season to bring
attention to the small businesses that form the heart and soul of
communities like Fort
Langley."
The Fort Langley experience is
the first in a series of shopping experiences that will roll out
across North America in 2025 and
beyond.
Empowering small businesses at every stage of their
journey
Mastercard is dedicated to enhancing the vitality of small
businesses and their communities in Canada with innovative solutions, tools and
offerings they can trust.
These include access to funding opportunities to help
entrepreneurs grow their businesses, digital enablement to ensure a
smooth online experience and safety and security solutions like a
free cybersecurity assessment tool to help small businesses stay
protected today and in the future.
Understanding that mentorship and support are at the heart of
small business success, the Mastercard Small Business
Community provides small business owners the opportunity to learn,
grow and connect with Mastercard and its partners, plus gain access
to events and resources to help manage and expand their
business. To learn more about how Mastercard supports
small businesses, visit www.mastercard.ca/smallbusiness.
The Mastercard Fort Langley shopping experience runs from
November 30 to December 15, 2024.
Visitors can start their experience at Fort Langley Town Hall at
9167 Glover Rd to pick up their copy of the storybook, or at
any of the participating small businesses in the downtown. Learn
more at www.mastercard.ca/FortLangley.
About Mastercard (NYSE: MA)
Mastercard powers economies and empowers people in 200+
countries and territories worldwide. Together with our customers,
we're building a sustainable economy where everyone can prosper. We
support a wide range of digital payments choices, making
transactions secure, simple, smart and accessible. Our technology
and innovation, partnerships and networks combine to deliver a
unique set of products and services that help people, businesses
and governments realize their greatest potential.
www.mastercard.com
SOURCE Mastercard