American Express offers Business Grants to Small and Medium-sized Merchants

Singapore, August 15, 2014 (Newswire.com) - American Express announces today the launch of its Merchant Sweepstakes Programme, a five-month campaign that will award S$5,000 business grants to two small or medium-sized merchants each month.  Winning businesses can use this grant in whichever way they feel is most appropriate to drive success for their business.

From August to December 2014, businesses will receive one chance to enter the Sweepstakes each time they accept a transaction on an American Express® Card; the higher the number of transactions for each month, the greater their chances of winning.

AMEX

Esther Yeap, Manager

“Small businesses provide outstanding products and services to their customers but sometimes they need help finding the money to make new investments or spend on marketing. American Express can help, and that’s why we stepped up our efforts to assist our smaller merchant customers,” said Kevin Alcott, vice president and general manager, Global Merchant Services, American Express, Singapore and Thailand.  “These grants can make a big difference for businesses; whether they choose to adopt a new marketing capability, train their workforce or improve their supply chain.”

Besides the business grants, the ten winning merchants will each receive a one-year complimentary Affiliate membership to the Association of Small & Medium Enterprises (ASME), which entitles them access to ASME courses, workshops and exclusive events.

“ASME is encouraged that American Express is focused on helping its small and medium-sized merchants grow. Through our partnership with American Express in the Merchant Sweepstakes Programme, ASME will expand our reach to these small and medium merchants, and help them improve their productivity and processes, so as to free up their time and resources to concentrate on their core business,” said Kurt Wee, president of ASME.

Small and medium-sized businesses a priority for American Express

In addition to the Merchant Sweepstakes Programme, American Express has been running various initiatives to address the needs of small and medium-sized merchants, such as targeted marketing campaigns to encourage Card Members to spend at its small and medium-sized merchants. A recent example was the 30licious - $30 dining deals for 30 days promotion with HungryGoWhere, which featured more than 40 small and medium-sized American Express restaurant merchants.

According to Alan Lee, general manager of Greenwood Fish Market and Bistro, “Smaller establishments like ours are often overladen with day-to-day operations and hence are time and resource poor. Having a partner like American Express is valuable because they’re flexible and creative, and are able to offer innovative and customised solutions that help to elevate and grow our business.”

Furthermore, American Express also negotiates partnerships with companies that provide business solutions, including intelligent customer relationship management, web design and online marketing services, and extend these services at preferential rates to its merchants.

“Helping small and medium-sized businesses grow is a key business priority for American Express, and we want to continually seek innovative ways to help these businesses thrive,” said Alcott.