Vermont Business Magazine The Buy Local Vermont Program begins today. A rush of consumers looking for bargains and looking to help local businesses stalled the system when it went live at 11 am. In the first hour about 10,000 consumers signed up online. It is designed to maximize the effect of local consumer spending, including at restaurants, retail stores, entertainment and performing arts venues, lodging and tourism-related businesses to support businesses in Vermont that have suffered economic harm due to the COVID-19 public health emergency.
Over 1,300 local Vermont businesses have signed up to offer discounts. The $30 discount for consumers is funded by $500,000 in federal CARES Act money. Consmer must sign up HERE to receive the discount coupon.
The program will incentivize purchases via a limited time $30 #BuyLocalVermont offer, given to residents who sign up to participate on a first come, first served basis. When a resident activates their offer, they’ll be matched with participating local Vermont businesses where they can use those funds. Enrollment for businesses interested in being part of the program started on August 25, 2020, with the full program launch to consumers planned for September 8, 2020.
FAQs
What is Buy Local Vermont?
#BuyLocalVermont is a free program for Vermont businesses and residents impacted by the COVID-19 public health emergency. The #BuyLocalVermont program will encourage visitation and consumer spending in Vermont to support businesses that have suffered economic harm due to the COVID-19 public health emergency.
This is a consumer stimulus program that maximizes the effects of local consumer spending at restaurants, lodging establishments, retail stores, and tourism attractions.
What is Nift?
Nift is a community of businesses using Nifts – neighborhood gifts – to promote one another and power local economies. Developed in collaboration with local merchants, Nift uses machine learning to match neighborhood businesses with the right local customers, getting them to walk through the door. Founded in 2015 in Boston, Nift works with more than 5 thousand local businesses and 5 million people, generating more than $169M in sales for neighborhood businesses. To learn more, visit www.GoNift.com/vermont.
How does it work?
Here’s how it works:
- Stimulus funds are deposited into a dedicated and segregated Nift deposit account
- Eligible businesses enroll to receive funds and customers
- Patented matchmaking technology connects the right people with the right businesses
- Each Vermont resident picks between two offers for participating businesses
- Funds are deposited into businesses accounts, via ACH direct deposit or mailed check, when a resident selects an offer
- Vermont residents visit businesses to use their offer, typically spending close to double the offer amount
- Customers return to businesses several times throughout the year
How do customers get "matched" to the business options?
Nift’s patented matchmaking technology (US Patent: 10,346,868), selects the best two offer options for each person in order to connect the right people with the right neighborhood businesses, generating foot traffic and distribution of stimulus funds via direct deposit to all participating merchants.
What if a customer does not like the two choices they are given?
Vermont residents have the ability to reset their options when they get matched with offers. They can also reach out to the Nift team!
Which businesses are eligible to participate?
Participation is open to these types of businesses: Lodging, Casual Eateries & Sit Down Restaurants, Fitness, Beauty & Spas, Health & Wellness, Shopping & Retail, Attractions & Outdoor Adventures, Arts & Entertainment, Education/Classes, Other Services (for example, car wash, pet services, cleaning services). The State of Vermont has discretion in determining allowable businesses and/or products eligible for the Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF) supported Buy Local Vermont program. Only businesses who sign up can receive funds. Register at: https://www.thinkvermont.com/buy-local-vermont/
Can non-Vermont residents (i.e. second home owners) sign up for a Nift offer?
This program is intended for people who have their primary residence in Vermont. To participate in the program, the Vermont resident must also be 18 years of age or older. Limit one offer per household.
How do I sign up for the free offer?
Beginning September 8, 2020 at 11:00am, any Vermont resident can register for their offer at www.GoNift.com/vermont.
Is there a deadline to register my business on Nift?
No. You can register your business any time during the entirety of the program while funds are available. However, the CARES Act funds will begin being used on September 8, 2020, and the program will only continue while funds are available.
What will happen on September 8, 2020?
On September 8, 2020, at 11:00am, the State of Vermont will start offering residents offers on a first come, first basis. Each Vermont resident will get matched with two offers to use at local businesses, helping them recover from the devastating effects of COVID-19. Register to receive your $30 offer via text message or email by visiting www.GoNift.com/vermont. Limit one per household while supplies last.
Can the offers be used online for Vermont businesses with e-commerce platforms?
Yes. The Nift team will work with you to help set up your Nift account and how consumers will redeem their Nift offer through your online store. Please reach out to our Nift-Vermont representatives at vermont@GoNift.com or 802-300-3441.
Are there restrictions to what Nift cannot be used for?
The offer cannot be used for the purchase of alcohol, cannabis, tobacco, firearms or any kind of weapons, lottery tickets and fireworks. CBD and hemp are allowable purchases. The State of Vermont has discretion in determining allowable businesses and/or products eligible for the Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF) supported Buy Local Vermont program.
How does Nift ensure a fair share of traffic distributed throughout the state?
One of the intentions of this program is to make sure Vermont is equitably distributing funds throughout the state. Nift has the ability to see businesses and consumers signing up in real time. This allows us to monitor our target outreach efforts and make adjustments.
Does it cost the consumer to get the $30?
No. There is no cost to register for the free offer as long as funds through the CARES Act are available.
Can a nationally franchised business participate?
National franchises that are not Vermont owned and operated are not eligible for this program. Business eligibility requirements include:
- Must be domiciled and have its primary place of business in Vermont
- Have suffered economic harm due to the COVID-19 public health emergency and economic crisis
- No firearms, weapons, alcohol, tobacco, cannabis, lottery tickets and fireworks
Can an out-of-state business (HQ) with a Vermont store location apply?
Your business must be domiciled in Vermont to be eligible.
Who can I contact for further questions or technical support?
Please reach out to our Nift-Vermont representatives at vermont@GoNift.com or 802-300-3441.
Are retail stores that sell CBD products eligible?
Yes.
Does the entire offer need to be used at once?
The #BuyLocalVermont offer is one-time use only. The offer is non-transferrable, one-time use only, not valid for cash or cash back.
What If I do not have a smartphone or a printer to redeem my offer?
All businesses who register will have access to their own online account. This account will display the names and Nift codes codes of every person who has selected an offer to that business.
Businesses have the ability to cross-reference users with a valid ID to their redeemable code if they do not have a smartphone or printout available at the time of purchase.
Is there a limit to the number of businesses who can take part?
No, this program is open to all eligible Vermont businesses.
What is the total amount of funds available to this program?
$425,000
Is there an age limit?
Yes. You must be 18 or older to receive a #BuyLocalVermont offer.
Can I register my business for the program and also receive an offer as a consumer?
Yes. You can register your business in this program and also sign up for a #BuyLocalVermont offer as a consumer.
Does the offer expire?
All funds in this program need to be distributed per the CARES Act funding guidelines. The offer is valid for a limited time only. All offers will expire by October 31, 2020.
What if my business only takes cash or checks?
Once a consumer picks your business, Nift will send you a check or deposit. The only transaction needed between the merchant and consumer is to redeem the offer.
There are two ways to redeem a Nift offer:
- Using a smartphone, customers can select “Redeem” from their offer, OR
- Business owners can sign in to Nift for Business at www.GoNift.com/signin, find the customer's name on the merchant dashboard, and select “Redeem.”
Are businesses that sell products only at farmers markets eligible?
Yes. The Nift team will work with you on how to set up your redeemable offer.
Are non-profit businesses eligible to register?
Yes.
Do I have to download an app?
No. Nift is accessible both online via the web, and also through an app.
What happens if a customer never redeems their Nift offer? Do the funds remain with the business?
Yes.
Will you send reminder texts or emails to customers asking them to use their offer before it expires?
Yes. It is Nift’s mission to motivate customers to use their offers and discover your businesses.
Vermonters have to give their address and shopping preferences. Is this information protected from data mining?
Your data remains yours and can only be used to provide Nift services to you. Much like other web services, you always maintain ownership of your customer's contact details. Hence, this data can never be resold.
Vermont has consumer protection language within the contract between the State of Vermont and Nift.
Can businesses give cash back if the customer does not use the full amount on the offer?
No. The offer is good for one-time use, not valid for cash or cash back.
How are the offers redeemed?
Offers can be used by residents starting September 8, 2020 until the end of the program. There are two ways to redeem a Nift offer:
- Using a smartphone, customers can select “Redeem” from their offer, OR
- Business owners can sign in to Nift for Business at www.GoNift.com/signin, find the customer's name on the merchant dashboard, and select “Redeem.”
Once an offer is redeemed, businesses need to credit the value at the register.
Nift is not directly involved in the transaction process and relies on business owners to honor the full value of the Nift offer. If you'd like to change your offer, we can work with your business to create a new offer and/or cancel an existing offer.
How do I use my #BuyLocalVermont offer?
Customers can either bring in their smartphone or a print out with their unique Nift code to their selected business to redeem.
Businesses have the ability to cross-reference users with a valid ID to their redeemable code if they do not have a smartphone or print out available at the time of purchase.
Can consumers get more than one offer?
Offers are limited to one per household. However, depending on the value of the offer and their preferences, they could get matched with two smaller-valued offers totaling a minimum of $30.
Will the offer cover any taxes?
The value of the offer does not apply to taxes.
Can you give the offer to someone else to use?
Offers are non-transferrable. We encourage all Vermonter’s to take advantage of this program for themselves to discover new businesses.
How can businesses without technology in-store redeem the offers?
Please reach out to our Nift-Vermont representatives at vermont@GoNift.com or 802-300-3441 for questions about setting up your business account.
Are consumers without internet access able to take advantage of this program?
Please reach out to our Nift-Vermont representatives 802-300-3441 (orvermont@GoNift.com) for questions on receiving your own free #BuyLocalVermont offer.
Why was I offered an offer for more than $30?
Vermont has identified the sectors that have been most impacted by the COVID-19 crisis. This #BuyLocalVermont program has been designed to help mitigate the economic harm those sectors have suffered. Lodging is one of the sectors that has suffered the most.
To incentivize the purchase of higher value goods (for example, a night’s stay at a Vermont hotel or resort) the value of the offer needs to be in line with the average purchase value of the sector.
I have multiple businesses within the same physical address, can I sign up each of my outlets with the same address?
Yes.
How do businesses establish COVID-19 hardship / impact?
Businesses have been impacted by COVID-19 if they have suffered hardships as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Hardship examples include things like loss of staff or loss of sales compared to the same time in the previous year.
Are Vermont Airbnb properties eligible?
Airbnb properties are only eligible if it is your primary business and source of income, and is registered as a business entity with the State of Vermont.
How do you confirm a Vermont resident from a second homeowner?
The #BuyLocalVermont program is open to people 18 year of age or older with their primary residence in Vermont. #BuyLovalVermont requires that consumers only opt into the program if they meet this criteria.
May the offer be used to purchase a gift certificate?
No. Gift certificates hold different guidelines compared to this free #BuyLocalVermont offer. Nift’s mission is to drive new potential customers in the doors of your business. Nift encourages customers to spend their #BuyLocalVermont offer for themselves first. Businesses then have the opportunity to sell gift certificates separately for additional business.
What qualifies as a “household”?
A household is a person’s primary residence.
I have multiple store locations throughout Vermont. Am I able to list them all?
Yes.
Can one offer be for the full $30 or does each consumer get two $15 choices?
On average most offer values are $30, but there are different offer values by business category.
A consumer may get matched with one $10 offer to a café and one $30 offer to a retail shop. In the case that a consumer picks the $10 choice, they will be able to pick another option and get at least $30 of value from the program.
Can Vermont owned breweries and distilleries participate?
Yes, but sales of alcohol are not eligible. Merchandise other than alcoholic products are eligible.
How should the receipt of the funds be recorded by the businesses for bookkeeping purposes? Is this considered a grant? Does the business pay income tax on the revenue?
The business will record the funds as income. The business will need to pay tax on the revenue and the customer needs to pay the sales tax.
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Buy Local Program begins today - Vermont Biz
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