Residents are being encouraged to embrace online shopping as Bermuda gears up for eMonday, the annual initiative that supports the development of e-commerce business on the island.

Launched 10 years ago during Global Entrepreneurship Week, eMonday is an online initiative aimed at encouraging residents to “shop local”.

It will be celebrated next Monday, November 30, sponsored by the Department of Economic Development and spearheaded by the Bermuda Economic Development Corporation.

The main objective of eMonday is to see e-tailers – online retail vendors – offer online deals to shoppers.

Prizes will be awarded to some businesses and shoppers who engage in e-commerce next Monday.

David Burt, the Premier, said: “eMonday aims to support and encourage the continuous development of e-commerce on the island. When considering the current pandemic, one silver lining is that more of us are supporting local businesses both online and in person.

“eMonday aims to enhance the practice of shopping online and to motivate sellers and buyers alike to use the internet when transacting, particularly as the island gears up for the holiday season.”

Prizes will include one $500 voucher for the e-tailer that makes the most individual sales during eMonday 2020, and three $250 vouchers for online buyers to use at any of the participating online shops.

To become eligible to win a $250 voucher, buyers will be included in a raffle by posting on Facebook and Instagram a picture of the product they purchased online, and of the top of the e-receipt showing the vendor and dated on eMonday.

Posts must tag the vendor, the BEDC (@BEDCBDA) the EDD (@EconomicDevelopmentDepartment), and #eMonday, #GEWBermuda, #BEDC.

To qualify for the $500 voucher, participating businesses must accept orders online, or accept orders online with the ability to provide full online payments.

They must also offer one or more discounts or promotions on eMonday, and must use social media tools such as Facebook and Instagram to direct vendors to their sites prior to eMonday, using the #eMonday hashtag in their promotions.

Organisers said only transactions dated November 30 will be considered for the voucher raffle. Winners will be announced on December 11.

Shoppers are invited to visit www.eMonday.bm for a list of participating e-tailers and to find out about the products that are subject to eMonday deals.

Vendors are encouraged to register, starting today, the online promotions that they have on www.eMonday.bm.