The Chief this month launched the Squamish edition of Dealmate.ca, which offers huge discounts on local products and services while giving local businesses a chance to attract new customers.
Since Dealmate.ca - a group coupon website that helps local residents get deals from local merchants -launched in Squamish earlier this month, the response from both customers and businesses has been phenomenal, said Shenaz Bedi, digital account specialist for Chief parent company Glacier Media.
She said the key objective is to offer attractive deals to persuade people to spend their money locally.
"As so many people go to work in Vancouver and Whistler, we want people to come back and spend their money in Squamish rather than elsewhere," Bedi said.
"A lot more people here have moved onto the online platform, so we wanted to be able to reach those people who are currently not spending their dollars here.
"We've been very, very happy with the way that's been going in Squamish. Businesses have been very enthusiastic about it."
People taking advantage of the offers on Dealmate.ca will get a minimum 50 per cent discount on the products offered each week by purchasing a voucher. Some of the deals available earlier this month included $10 for a voucher worth $20 in alterations at The Hive and $5 for a dozen cookies The Grateful Bread Bakery.
New businesses coming on board this week include The Nature Nest, Marks Work Warehouse and Tumblewoods Indoor Playgrounds.
Bedi noted that, beyond the 50 per cent minimum discount, there is tons of flexibility for participating businesses on how they wish to see the deals to be structured.
"We want to work with the merchants to make sure they're successful," she said.
Any businesses interested in having its product or service featured for a discount, or anyone who would like to make suggestions on what kind of deals should be offered, can contact [email protected].
