Discount vouchers are displayed in shop windows and lead the run to the best Xmas shopping in Porto

It is hard not to notice the label indicating that a shop or store offers direct discount of 2 euros per each 20-euro buy. This campaign was launched by Porto City Hall to help boost local retailers and traditional trade during this festive season, amid the ongoing pandemic. The label resembles Xmas decorations and marks the stores that have adhered to this municipal campaign by the Municipality of Porto, in partnership with the Association of Traders of Porto.

Porto City Hall handed out 150 thousand discount vouchers to the city traders to compensate them for the pandemic distress; which means that for each 20 euros spent in street trading, traditional trade and local trade, customers will be granted a 2-euro direct rebate. Depending on the accession number, there may be a second hand out of these vouchers.

This incentive programme was prepared by Porto City Hall to boost the economic activity in the city during these unprecedented times. And let’s be honest, shall we? All those Christmas lightings offer the perfect scenario to enter the holiday spirit, as 82 streets, squares and gardens in the Invicta are decorated with amazing lights and ornaments. So, let the twinkling of light bulbs help beat the holiday blues, while shopping local and appreciating the Christmas magic.

The “Programa de Incentivo à Atividade Comercial” aka “Incentive Programme to Commercial Activity” (free translation), which will be on during this holiday season, meaning Xmas and New Year, is exclusively targeted at local business with doors facing the street and with a surface of up to 250 square meters.

This is an extraordinary investment of 300 thousand euros, as the Municipality of Porto “takes over the 2-euro rebate in purchase equal or greater than 20 euros, and so on and so forth – in multiples of 20 euros”, in retail business that are included in the programme.

In addition, this huge Christmas campaign also adds the parking exemption fees in the city, per 120 minutes, in the four municipal parks: Trindade, Silo Auto, Duque de Loulé and Alfândega, which is granted upon presentation of the tickets handed out by the local merchants. Tickets can be used between 8th December and 8th January, up to the limit of 10.000 units.

The Municipality of Porto has also launched a communication campaign to raise awareness on the importance of buying local, in a safely manner, to help the local economic activity better endure the hardship. A lot of messages encouraging shopping at local traders and businesses are scattered all over town.

You know the song, but this Xmas the tune will be slightly different: Don’t mingle, but jingle and be merry! Happy Xmas!