UK-based payments service provider SumUp is boosting support for small businesses, enabling customers to offer support via social media during COVID-19 by discovering Gift Cards directly from eligible businesses on Facebook and Instagram.

Maximising the innovation, SumUp merchants can now create a new Sticker for their Instagram Stories or add a button to their Instagram accounts. People can then tap the stickers or buttons on Instagram to buy a gift card and swiftly complete their purchase. 

MarcAlexander Christ, Co-founder at SumUp commented: “In the face of the ongoing difficulties of the COVID-19 crisis, I am constantly amazed and inspired by the innovations and solutions our extraordinary team at SumUp is creating to help our merchants across the world.

“We are delighted to collaborate with Facebook and Instagram on this initiative, and it is yet another example of the forward-thinking methods required to keep building support systems for small businesses that help them to keep trading during these challenging times.”

The initiative is the latest in a number of solutions unveiled by SumUp in recent weeks to support its 2 million merchants worldwide during the COVID-19 crisis and beyond. The collaboration with Facebook and Instagram means that eligible SumUp merchants can continue to promote their services and offers during lockdown, staying connected to existing and new customers alike.

Rahul Patel, MrP’s CornerShop owner and SumUp user added: “We believe in staying positive and find our products make people happy and bring joy to their lives during such an unusual time – just check out our Instagram stories @mrpscornershop. Through gift cards, this has enabled our loyal customers who love what we do to share this with their loved ones, and hopefully bring the same joy into their lives.”

Expert Analysis: Social engagement to navigate through this inevitably turbulent period can be key for smaller businesses. Therefore the importance of the innovation from SumUp can be a key tool in adapting evolving consumer habits.