Black Friday 2011: FedEx Giving Away $1M in Free American Express Gift Cards Starting Tuesday
FedEx, American Express Team Up to Help Small Businesses After Black Friday
In an effort to help small businesses during one of the busiest shopping seasons of the year, FedEx has announced that it will be giving away thousands of gift cards to consumers to help these small business thrive after the Black Friday rush.
Starting today, Nov. 1, visitors to FedEx Corp.'s official Facebook page can register for a chance to win a $25 American Express gift card. The $25 free gift cards will be distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis, according to a press release from FedEx.
The event is to help merchants on Small Business Saturday 2011, an annual initiative that encourages consumers to turn to local businesses after hitting up larger merchants on Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving when consumers can find deeply-discounted items.
The FedEx press release reads:
"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."
The FedEx free gift card initiative was originally announced Sept. 27, 2011.
FedEx will be giving away, as part of this "Shop Small Gift Card" program, 30,000 free $25 Shop-Small American Express gift cards. "Ten thousand additional cards will be distributed directly to FedEx customers," according to the press release.
Hundreds of anxious shoppers have already been visiting FedEx's official Facebook page for a chance at a $25 gift card.
It was not immediately clear how consumers can actually register for a chance to receive a free $25 gift card.
The Christian Post spoke with a media specialist at FedEx Tuesday morning and was told that consumers need only visit the company's Facebook page today beginning at 1 p.m.
CP previously reported on Small Business Saturday (SBS), which is sponsored by American Express.
"Small business is the engine of job creation in the US economy," American Express Chairman and CEO Kenneth I. Chenault said in a press release for the first annual SBS. "It is also among the sectors hardest hit by the recession. By spreading the word about Small Business Saturday, we can help raise awareness about the critical role small businesses play in cities and towns across the country at a time when they need support the most."
