Looking for value? Looking to save money? Then come on down – to downtown Somerville, where members of The Somerville Business & Professional Association are ready to give you a free Shoppers Club Value Card that will entitle you to exclusive discounts and special offers for merchandise and services.  

The Shoppers Club Value Card will be available exclusively from merchants and businesses that are members of the SBPA, according to Tony Loftus, special projects manager at Somerville Lumber and chairman of the SBPA committee coordinating the program.
“The card doesn’t cost anything, there are no fees or dues whatsoever and there is no expiration date,” Loftus explained.

Shoppers are encouraged to ask downtown merchants and other SBPA members for their free card, and to check the SBPA website – www.somervillebiz.org – for the promotions, sales and discount programs that will be offered by each store owner exclusively to those who present the Shoppers Club Value Card.
“Each business will establish its own parameters for what they are offering,” Loftus explained. “It could be a month-long promotion or one-day special. Each promotion attached to the card will be different from merchant to merchant,” Loftus said.
“How will cardholders get the information on what specials are available - by visiting the SBPA website,” Loftus added.

All specials will be advertised on the SBPA website, with links to each individual store and business website to offer shoppers more details.
Participating merchants and businesses will have decals affixed to their doors to assist shoppers.
There are no plans presently for any blanket programs that would involve all merchants and businesses offering the same discounts simultaneously.

Loftus is eager to launch the Shoppers Club Value Card, as he has seen the benefits of similar programs at Somerville Lumber, located at 1480 Route 22 in Bridgewater.

“We’re a  member  of the Hometown Club and we have our own rewards card program; you can walk in to my store and get 10 percent off any retail item in the store simply by flashing the card,” Loftus explained. “We have special, private events for cardholders and offer 20-25 percent off on a given day.

“We keep it exciting by not offering the same thing all the time,” he added. “We have a contact list of who has card and we advertise in the store constantly. That helps to grow the ranks for the programs.”
Consumers benefit because they’re saving money on their purchase, while merchants also derive benefits - the bottom line for merchants and businessmen is increased traffic and increased sales, Loftus said.
“If the program is successful and I have no reason to believe otherwise, it should prompt non-members to become members so they can participate in the program and benefit.

“This is not a very complicated program,” Loftus said. “It needs to be easy. People want to see see value and convenience, that’s the only way they’ll take advantage of the program.”
Loftus expects the cards will be available at member stores and businesses sometime in mid- to late July.