Leading corporate gifting company Simply Thank You has announced a major new partnership with North East start-up Insiem that will benefit small, independent retail businesses across the country.

The collaboration will allow global corporate clients of Darlington-based Simply Thank You to shop at niche, independent online stores, alongside high-street names and big brands, using gift cards and reward points.

Insiem, a new, Durham-based online shopping site that brings together hundreds of British independent retailers on one dedicated platform, is the first of its kind to form an alliance with well-established gifting giant Simply Thank You.

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Its founder Trina Scott-Priestley, who worked for 15 years as an accountant in blue chip companies, said the partnership is a major step forward for smaller, standalone retailers.

“There is a growing trend to shop small and shop sustainably, and, by joining forces with Simply Thank You, we can open the door for British independents to enter an untapped area of sales within the corporate gift market,” she said.

“Historically, independent businesses have been underrepresented in the corporate gift and employee rewards market, through lack of awareness and barriers to entry. Insiem exists to champion these bespoke businesses and we are delighted to announce this partnership with such an important player in the industry.”

Established in 1993, Simply Thank You offers a vast range of more than 20,000 corporate gifts, allowing clients to reward employees and operate loyalty schemes, for example, or incentivise customers with products or reward cards for their business. It has a 35,000 sq ft warehouse in Darlington and works with some of the leading names in banking, media, insurance, and telecommunications.

Mark Eglington, managing director of Simply Thank You said: “We have listened to the market and responded with a completely new way to spend reward money. We know times are becoming increasingly hard for everyone right now, which makes it even more important to offer our customers a way to make their money work harder than ever before.

“By choosing to reward their customers and employees through products brought to them by Insiem, not only will they be able to purchase beautiful, bespoke gifts, they can also support their ESG initiatives, and offer a new stream of money to British Independents.”

The Insiem platform currently features independent retail brands such as Ross & Ross, ChilliWinter, Avery Row, Hello Day, 80NoirUltra and Fearless Flamingo.

Kathy Chillistone, founder of ChilliWinter and Insiem partner, said: “Given the growing consumer focus on ‘shop small and shop local’ as a means to reduce carbon footprint, as well as build small community economies, this platform is positioned in exactly the right way, at the right time.

“This will help small business communities like ours not only survive, but thrive. We are really looking forward to building our relationship with Insiem and are very excited to be a part of this collaboration.”

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