Reward shoppers for buying Scottish goods - SNP

Published on Wednesday 15 April 2009 10:16

REWARDING shoppers for buying homegrown Scottish produce could help boost the economy during the downturn, an SNP MSP said today.

Aileen Campbell is calling for a special scheme to be brought in which would give people loyalty points for choosing Scottish produce.

Her proposals are based on the Shamrock scheme in Ireland, where shoppers can earn bonus supermarket loyalty points for buying homegrown goods.

Online Poll: Should shoppers be rewarded by buying Scottish?

They are to be debated at the SNP conference in Glasgow on Friday.

Ms Campbell said that under her plan for a Saltire scheme, Scottish-produced items would be labelled on the shelves.

Shoppers buying these goods would also see a Saltire symbol on their till receipt beside the relevant items, with stores then giving customers loyalty points for these purchases.

Speaking ahead of the SNP conference Ms Campbell said: "Scottish produce is some of the best in the world and we are seeing increasing efforts by supermarkets and grocers to stock locally produced food.

"As we feel the impact of the UK recession, offering rewards for the purchase of Scottish produce could help keep shoppers focussed on buying Scotland's best and support Scotland's farmers and food producers through difficult times."

The South of Scotland MSP continued: "Introducing a further incentive to buy local could be a real shot in the arm for Scotland's farmers.

"Just like the Shamrock in Ireland, a Saltire on the shelves and then on the till receipt would emphasise how easy and important it is to buy decent local produce and reward shoppers in the process."

Ms Campbell's motion calls on food producers, grocers, supermarkets and the Scottish Government to work together to explore the possibility of introducing such a scheme in Scotland.

She said: "The time is right to reward shoppers and producers through this scheme.

"We need to make full use of Scotland's magnificent larder if we are to promote healthy eating, cut food miles and boost the economy during this downturn."