Shop Small Returns to Back the Small Businesses Supporting Local Communities
The annual Shop Small movement by American Express is returning for its 13th year in Australia to galvanise support for the country’s vibrant small business community.
Shop Small is a national movement that celebrates the important contributions that small businesses make to the economy and communities at large. Throughout August across Australia, consumers will be encouraged to visit and spend with small businesses to give them a boost.
To motivate shoppers, eligible American Express Card Members who shop at participating small businesses during August will get 5 Bonus Points for every $1 spent, up to a total of 1,000 Bonus Pointsi.
Robert Tedesco, Vice President and General Manager of Global Merchant and Network Services for American Express Australia and New Zealand, said, “Shop Small celebrates the incredible small businesses that are the lifeblood of our communities and recognises the tireless work they perform to deliver essential services and support the human connections that keep our high streets thriving.
“Whether it’s your local barista taking the time to have a conversation, the pharmacist who delivers medicine to your door when you’re sick, or that small business that provides financial support for your children’s sports club, small businesses help keep our communities running. In our 13th year of Shop Small, American Express is incredibly proud to continue backing small business and rewarding our Card Members who support them.”
Since launching Shop Small in Australia in 2013, American Express has delivered over AUD$24 million in value and awarded more than 2.1 billion Membership Rewards® points to Card Members through exclusive Shop Small offers, demonstrating a long-term commitment to both small businesses and the customers who support themii.
Small businesses make up more than 97 per cent of all businesses in Australia and employ more than five million Australiansiii.
Luke Achterstraat, CEO of Council of Small Business Organisations Australia (COSBOA), said, “The fact that Amex Shop Small is now in its 13th year is testament to the genuine support that this movement provides to small businesses around Australia. Small businesses are the engine room of our economy and those owners should be recognised for their hard work, passion and dedication to the communities they operate within. During Shop Small this year and beyond, COSBOA would love to see Australian consumers taking the time to thank their local small business owners and reward their excellence with loyalty.”
Owner of Moss Vale Community Pharmacy, Maddi Parker, has been a pharmacist for more than 30 years and bought the century-old Southern Highlands business 13 years ago. She said, “I’m a second-generation pharmacist and I bought this business specifically because it’s in a small town and those community connections are important to me as a small business owner. I am honoured to be only the third family to own the business, which was established in the 1920s. It’s a pleasure to support the health and wellbeing of our Moss Vale community, to know our customers by name and be there for them throughout life’s different stages. We regularly make special deliveries throughout a wide country area for the sick or elderly who can’t come into the store, and beyond medicine, we’ve started hosting monthly tea parties at the pharmacy to help bring people together because we know those human connections are crucial. Initiatives like Shop Small are so welcome, not just for the survival of local businesses like ours, but to support the heart and soul of our Aussie towns. They remind people how powerful it is to shop local and stay connected.”
After studying architecture and running stalls at farmers markets, Beau Baddock has for the past 12 years owned the much-loved The Agrestic Grocer in Orange. He said, “What started as a little café has grown into something really special. It's a place where locals and travelers alike come to connect over good food, live music and a shared love of the region we're in. We stock jams, chutneys, oils, wine, beer and all sorts of regional goods so people can support local without thinking twice. It’s more than just a place to shop - it’s about championing the local legends who put so much energy into growing, making and creating good produce and experiences. Support from initiatives like Shop Small mean the world to small businesses like ours and it helps us keep doing what we love, in the community we love."
Since 2021, Amex has added more than 1.3 million new places that accept American Express in Australiaiv. Of those, 616,000 new places in a variety of sectors such as retail, dining, entertainment, healthcare and lodging places were added in 2024v. American Express is accepted in 108 million locations worldwide reinforcing its role as a trusted payment partner for businesses and customers alikevi.
Australians can discover participating Shop Small businesses by visiting the American Express Shop Small Map and can show their support on social media using #ShopSmall. Small business owners interested in participating can find more information and resources at American Express Shop Small for Businesses.
i T&Cs apply. Save the Offer to your eligible Card, get 5 Membership Rewards® Bonus Points per $1 spent, in-store or online at participating Shop Small businesses by 31/08/2025, up to a maximum of 1,000 Bonus Points. Enrolments limited. T&Cs and Exclusions apply. Full Offer Terms available here.
ii Based on internal American Express data from 2013 to 2024.
iii According to the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, 2024.
iv Based on American Express Merchant retail locations setup between January 2024 and December 2024, including through payment facilitators and OptBlue Sellers.
v Based on American Express Merchant locations set up between January 2021 and December 2024, including through payment fracilitators and OptBlue Sellers.
vi American Express 2024 Annual Report.
