SOME of the biggest names on the high street will now accept Scotland Loves Local Gift Cards in store.
Marks & Spencer, Boots, Primark and schuh are among the businesses that will accept the new gift card and allow shoppers to buy local, with each having signed up all of their Scottish stores.
The Scottish Government is funding the rollout of gift cards across all 32 local authority areas and work is being led by Scotland's Town Partnership as part of the Scotland Loves Local Campaign.
This is the first time a local gift card programme has been delivered on this scale and support from retail giants is being seen as a major boost.
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STP chief officer Phil Prentice said: "To secure such high-profile support is a significant show of confidence in the Scotland Loves Local Gift Cards and their ability to become a major part of local economies across the country.
"It also shows the strength of commitment that these stores - and others - have for the communities in which they operate, creating another way in which local people can spend with them.
"The Scotland Loves Local Gift Cards will allow people to enjoy the very best their area has to offer, choosing local first.
"That's vital for every community.
"If we are to create a better future for post-pandemic Scotland, we all need to think local to support the people, businesses and jobs around us."
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All kinds of businesses are being urged to sign up to accept the gift card so people can use them to go shopping, enjoy a meal or visit a local attraction, with each card only being able to be spent in the area for which is it branded.
Phil added: "The more businesses that sign up, the more ways in which people will be able to use the gift cards to support businesses in their region.
"This really is the new local currency."
The only requirement for businesses that want to sign up is that they must have a physical presence in the region they register in, and registration is free.
Cards will be available after a series of local launches which will take place over the coming months.
STP is working with Perth-based fintech Miconex, which already operates other gift cards programmes in the UK.
Miconex managing director Colin Munro said: "Collaboration is the key to success here.
"By working together we can create an unbeatable customer proposition and start to divert more and more money back into Scottish businesses."
The 17 existing Town & Country Gift Card programmes in Scotland will remain.
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