After months of anticipation, Canada's first Small Business Saturday is here
TORONTO, Oct. 19, 2012 /CNW/ - Interac Association today reminded Canadians to take an active role in Canada's first ever Small Business Saturday happening Saturday, October 20th, by choosing to shop small. This important initiative is presented by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) and sponsored by Interac Association.
Small business owners from coast-to-coast have been signing up to expose their business to consumers by registering and submitting deals, while consumers have been signing up to receive updates and offers from small businesses right in their own neighbourhoods at www.shopsmallbiz.ca.
"We're thrilled to play a role in an initiative like this, which acknowledges and supports the incredible hard work and dedication of small business owners across this country," said Mark O'Connell, President and CEO, Interac Association and Acxsys Corporation. "Tomorrow, we urge you to show your support and take the time to visit a small business in your neighbourhood. I will be, and I have encouraged my friends and family to do the same."
Interac Association is the primary sponsor of the Canadian Federation of Independent Business-led initiative. The Interac® Network is Canada's only domestically run, coast-to-coast debit payment network and Interac Debit is one of the lowest cost payment options available to merchants.
"CFIB is proud to be working with Interac Association on Canada's first Small Business Saturday," said Dan Kelly, President of CFIB. "So far, over 3200 small firms are offering great deals for consumers at www.shopsmallbiz.ca. CFIB is very pleased that many merchants are offering discounts when consumers pay with low cost Interac Debit. We hope Canadians will make an extra effort to explore local, independent businesses on Small Business Saturday because, if we all shop small, it can make a big difference," added Kelly.
Small business owners can register themselves right up until October 20th, and by entering a city or postal code, consumers can find special deals in their neighbourhoods for Small Business Saturday at www.shopsmallbiz.ca.
About Interac Association
A recognized world leader in debit card services, Interac Association is responsible for the development and operations of the Interac network, a national payment network that allows Canadians to access their money through Interac Cash at 60,000 Automated Banking Machines and Interac Debit at 766,000 point-of-sale terminals across Canada. Interac FlashTM, a secure contactless enhancement of Interac Debit allows Canadians to pay for items instantly with their Interac chip debit card at a reader that supports Interac Flash.
Interac Association was founded in 1984 and is comprised of a diverse membership that includes banks, trust companies, credit unions, caisses populaires, merchants, and technology and payment related companies.
Other related services offered by Acxsys Corporation, whose shareholders are the architects of the Interac network, include: Interac Online, for secure online payments made directly from a bank account; Interac e-Transfer™, for the transfer of money from one person's bank account to another person's bank account using an email address or mobile phone number**; and international services, which provide Canadian cardholders with point-of-sale access at nearly 2 million U.S. retailers, and PULSE, Discover, Diners Club International and UnionPay cardholders access to ABMs in Canada.
Interac, the Interac logo, Interac Flash and Interac e-Transfer are trade-marks of Interac Inc. Used under license.
**The Interac e-Transfer service, for secure person-to-person payments, is currently available to customers of over 90 banks and credit unions including BMO Bank of Montreal, CIBC, President's Choice Financial, National Bank, RBC Royal Bank, Scotiabank and TD Canada Trust among others. Central 1, through participating credit unions, offers the option of using mobile phone numbers, in addition to email, to notify Interac e-Transfer recipients. Money never travels by email or text message. More information about the Interac e- Transfer service and a complete list of participating banks and credit unions can be found at www.interac.ca.
SOURCE: Interac Association
Media contact:
Jennifer McKay
Interac Association / Acxsys Corporation
[email protected]
647-629-8796
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