Editorial TeamSmall businesses continue to face many challenges in this new year. Reaching customers isn’t easy when government officials have deemed everything that doesn’t sell food or a medical service a “non-essential”. Yes, many have pivoted to online and trying so hard to make curbside pick up convenient just to pay the rent. We came across a new initiative by Indigo that may be of interest to our Canadian small businesses.
Indigo has announced the launch of Mini Marché – a curated shop within a shop experience dedicated to help support small and local Canadian businesses within the IndigoKids and IndigoBaby departments.
Indigo is inviting small Canadian businesses to submit and pitch theirkids and/or baby products for consideration, with applications being accepted from now until February 12st, 2021. Products from businesses selected will be available both at indigo.ca and in select stores as early as Fall 2021! Priority will be given to innovative, creative and unique brands who can identify under one of the following criteria:
- Canadian owned or managed
- BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Colour) owned or managed
- Women owned or managed
- LGBTQ2+ owned or managed
- Environmentally friendly (organic, chemical-free, locally sourced, ethically made)
- Philanthropic and purpose driven
Applications are now accepted through www.indigo.ca
Once they’ve reviewed all applications, a select group of candidates will have the opportunity to pitch their products to their team. Those invited to the next round will be notified on or prior to February 28, 2021. The pitching process will begin in March, with the final candidates selected in early spring. The final selected businesses will have their products added to Indigo’s curated online and in-store line up.
While they are concentrating this effort within the kids and baby categories, they will look to the future to expand further.
Know anyone who fits the criteria? Please share!
*Lead feature photo credit: Minnie Zhou /Unsplash