FedEx Teams with American Express to Drive Consumers to Shop Main Street During Busy Holiday Retail Season

MEMPHIS, Tenn., Sept. 27, 2011-FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX) is injecting $1 million into the small business economy of the United States with its support of Small Business Saturday 2011.  The commitment, announced today, will send tens of thousands of additional consumers into Main Street merchants on November 26, helping to drive holiday sales for local businesses at a time when customer demand remains among their biggest challenges.   

As the premier sponsor in the , FedEx will give away for free 30,000 Shop-Small^SM American Express gift cards, each worth $25, to consumers through a Facebook promotion leading up to Small Business Saturday on November 26.  Ten thousand additional cards will be distributed directly to FedEx customers.  The contribution means more money in the cash registers of locally-owned independent businesses.

 “A vibrant small business community is critical to the health of the US economy and the cornerstone of the thousands of cities and towns FedEx serves every day,” said T. Michael Glenn, executive vice president of Market Development at FedEx.  “Through this commitment, FedEx is able to help raise awareness for Small Business Saturday as well as put money directly into the pockets of consumers while reminding them to support their local businesses during the holidays.”

In addition to the gift card giveaway, FedEx Office is serving as the official print sponsor of Small Business Saturday, helping independent retailers and other small businesses grab attention on Small Business Saturday and throughout the holiday season.  Beginning October 4, small business owners can visit www.facebook.com/shopsmall to access Small Business Saturday posters that can be printed via the FedEx Office Print Online application at a special 20 percent discount.  The offer can be utilized on all online print orders through November 26, giving small business owners even more savings as they prepare for the busy holiday season.

 

Consumers’ Love for Local, Independents Remains Up – Even in a Down Economy

According to the August 2011 American Express OPEN Small Business Saturday Consumer Pulse, the need for the initiative remains vital-46 percent of Americans surveyed expressed their view that the strength of the small business economy is “worse” than five years ago. 

“Nine in 10 Americans believe small business success is critical to the health of the U.S. economy, and Small Business Saturday translates this sentiment into dollars and cents for independent retailers,” said Maryann Fitzmaurice, senior vice-president of American Express OPEN.  “The FedEx commitment to this year’s Small Business Saturday adds an important voice for consumers to support the Main Street merchants they love and couldn’t live without.”      

This year, FedEx will be encouraging consumers to demonstrate their support for small business by using the Shop Small gift cards on Small Business Saturday.  Shoppers will be able to obtain their free $25 gift cards from the FedEx Facebook brand page beginning November 1. For a limited time, shoppers can register and share the offer with friends with a few simple clicks.  By providing a mailing address, the cards will be shipped to the first qualifying 30,000 consumers in time for them to get out and shop on November 26, Small Business Saturday.  Only one Shop Small Gift Card will be sent to each Facebook ID that registers.  There are no consumer fees of any kind associated with the Shop Small Gift Card.

For additional information on the FedEx gift card give-away, visit www.facebook.com/FedEx in the coming weeks. For more on Small Business Saturday events, visit www.facebook.com/shopsmall. 

 

About Small Business Saturday

November 26th marks the second annual Small Business Saturday, a day to support the local businesses that create jobs, boost the economy and preserve neighborhoods around the country.  Small Business Saturday (SBS) was created in 2010 by American Express in response to small business owners’ most pressing need: creating more demand for their products and services.  A total of 1.5 million Facebook users, 130 public and private organizations, and 41 elected officials declared their support for SBS last year. More than 100,000 small businesses downloaded SBS marketing materials, 10,000 businesses signed up for free Facebook advertising that ran on SBS, and 200,000 consumers registered their American Express cards to receive $25 statement credits when they shopped at a small business on SBS.  Small retailers who accept the American Express Card saw a 28% increase in sales on SBS when compared to the Saturday after Thanksgiving in 2009.

About FedEx Corp.

FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX) provides customers and businesses worldwide with a broad portfolio of transportation, e-commerce and business services.  With annual revenues of $40 billion, the company offers integrated business applications through operating companies competing collectively and managed collaboratively, under the respected FedEx brand. Consistently ranked among the world’s most admired and trusted employers, FedEx inspires its more than 290,000 team members to remain “absolutely, positively” focused on safety, the highest ethical and professional standards and the needs of their customers and communities. For more information, visit news.fedex.com.

The post FedEx Pumps $1M into Small Business Economy in Support of Second Annual Small Business SaturdaySM first appeared on River View Observer.

  The holidays should be a time of joy, good cheer and high hopes for the upcoming new year. However, after the gift shopping, holiday decorating, and family get-togethers are done, many people are often left with elevated levels of stress or depression this time of the year.

The holidays are also a time when people feel the loss of a loved one more sharply. Even the memory of a traumatic event, such as a serious illness, can dampen one’s holiday spirits. Older adults, for example, may feel isolated or forgotten, as the season reminds them of happier times.

Whatever the reason, there are strategies that we can use to fight holiday depression.

 The health care professionals at Christ Hospital offer the following suggestions to help ease the stress in the midst of this holiday season:

 Make a list and prioritize the activities that are important to you.

•  Limit your alcohol consumption. Drinking too much can lead to uninhibited behavior, hangovers, and remorse, all of which can lead to depression.
•  Make an active effort not to worry too much or get bogged down with details.
•  Avoid overeating and get enough rest. Though it may be hard to do, the benefits of both are obvious.
• Play games to keep your brain sharp. There are many different kinds of games — such as trivia, memory and math — and skill levels to suit all kinds of people. Games can also be a fun way to spend time with others.
•  Increase your physical activity. Go for walks at safe and warm locations, such as the mall, which will help improve lower body strength, maintain mobility and help prevent cognitive decline. Being active increases your endorphins, which decreases stress levels.
•  Spend time with supportive and caring people. These kinds of social connections are good for your emotional well-being.
•  Laugh a lot. Laughing increases circulation, immune system defenses and mental function. As the saying goes, laughter often is the best medicine.
•  Remember to take some time for yourself. Do the things that you enjoy, such as reading a book or listening to music.

 For more information about depression, anxiety, and substance dependence, please call Christ Hospital’s Department of Behavioral Health Services at (201) 795-8375.

 

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The post Holiday Health Stress Tips first appeared on River View Observer.