By Retail Insider

Small and medium-sized businesses around the world impacted by COVID-19 will receive free resources from global POS leader

Leading cloud-based commerce platform Lightspeed POS Inc. has announced the implementation of several new initiatives to aid its local retail and restaurant customers who have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Effective immediately, and for the next 3 months, Lightspeed is now offering the following free services to support its customers in the now necessary adaptations:

Lightspeed Delivery for restaurant customers
Lightspeed eCommerce for retail customers
Lightspeed Loyalty for omnichannel customers

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#SupportLocalBusinesses. From our favourite independent cafes (we see you, @cafemeregrand) to our go-to boutiques, it's so important to support business owners through this time of uncertainty. We put together a list of easy ways consumers can help local businesses stay afloat through COVID-19—please share and add your suggestions in the comments. Link in bio for the full article.

A post shared by Lightspeed HQ (@lightspeedhq) on Mar 21, 2020 at 2:13pm PDT

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We've gathered resources to help you stay safe, informed and productive during the COVID-19 pandemic. We’re offering tools and access to new revenue streams to help you navigate and adapt during this difficult time. Link in bio for updates and information. We're in this together.

A post shared by Lightspeed HQ (@lightspeedhq) on Mar 19, 2020 at 6:52am PDT

In addition to the above, Lightspeed has also implemented the #lightspeedlocal initiative, designed to encourage its company employees to shop locally and support small businesses in the Lightspeed network. The program reimburses employees in its 14 global offices up to $500 in local currency on purchases employees make from any Lightspeed retail or restaurant customer, whether through eCommerce shopping, meal takeout or delivery. “Our employees and customers are at the heart of everything we do, and during this time of social distancing and uncertainty, it is more important than ever that we support them in a tangible way,” said Dax Dasilva, Founder and CEO of Lightspeed. “I'm inspired by the spirit and innovation from some of our customers leveraging omni and creative home delivery options to make the best of an incredibly difficult time. Helping others do the same is at the heart of these incentives that we are putting in place.”

To further help SMBs protect their businesses during this turbulent time, Lightspeed has launched an online COVID-19 Retail and Restaurant Resource Guide. Outlining operational tasks and tools for new revenue streams to help businesses navigate changes in consumer behaviour, the guide aims to help small and medium-sized businesses remain agile in the current socio-economic climate and provide them with resources to safeguard a prosperous future.

Earlier in 2020 Retail Insider reported on Lightspeed’s outstanding 2019 success. Lightspeed announced in January that its Canadian retail customers sales growth of more than six times the industry average last year. The revelation comes after Lightspeed compiled data from more than 3,000 Lightspeed retail locations as part of a year-end review following tremendous growth for Lightspeed itself after a successful IPO in 2019.

Lightspeed — which now powers small and medium-sized businesses in over 100 countries — uses a smart, scalable, and dependable point of sale system that helps restaurants and retailers sell across channels, manage operations, engage with consumers, accept payments, and grow their business. Headquartered in Montréal, Lightspeed has offices in Canada, the USA, Europe, and Australia. For more information, please visit: www.lightspeedhq.com

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