We want to highlight free or discounted resources to help FMCG businesses and retailers operate safely and effectively during the coronavirus pandemic.
If you have a tool or service for FMCG businesses, please share the details with Inside FMCG at fmcgnews@octomedia.com.au.
In addition to the free and discounted apps, tools and other resources listed below, organisations like the Australian Food and Grocery Council, Australian Retailers Association and the National Retail Association provide a wealth of information.
Facebook has also created a resource hub, and NAB, Commonwealth Bank, ANZ Bank and Westpac are all offering support for business customers. And here’s what the Government is doing to assist businesses.
Collective Productivity: Creating Immediate Capacity
Productivity expert Ishan Galapathy will offer five free online master classes for the month of April. Classes cover Business Response Planning, Prioritisation, Effective Team Huddles and Team Problem Solving.
Individuals get the choice of either attending Wednesday or Thursday from 12 – 1pm session each week.
If interested, register here, call 0400 820 780 or e-mail ishan.galapathy.com.
Bartercard International: Stimulus Package
Bartercard International created a mini-stimulus package for Australian who lost their jobs or suffered a business closure. The A$1,000 in Bartercard “trade dollars” can be spent with approximately 10,000 Bartercard small business merchants in every state and territory across Australia.
To learn more and apply for the Barter-Assist funding package go to bartercard.com.au/barter-assist.
Weblium: Discount for small business owners
Weblium offers a 40% discount for small business owners to create a website on quarantine and represent their businesses online. To upgrade a website to PRO, use the coupon code #StayAtHome at checkout.
If interested, contact +1 855 932 54 86 or e-mail tom.chech@weblium.com.
Snap Camera: Work from home lenses
Snapchat Official Lens Creator JP Pirie created a series of ‘work from home’ lenses for people working at home in their PJs but still need to appear dressed ‘for work’. Snap Camera in third party video chat applications: Download Snap Camera for PC or Mac at https://snapcamera.snapchat.com/download/.
WINEDEPOT: Free wine storage
WINEDEPOT offers 3-months support package of free storage and heavily reduced deliveries. The WINEDEPOT’s Cellar Door Support Package includes A$500 free credit; three months free storage; free initial stock transfer into bulk storage; delivery from just A$7.95 / case for metro areas and waived platform access, set up and integration charges, usually A$995.
If interested, visit its Instagram page @supportaussiewineries.
Hootsuite: free Professional Plan
Hootsuite gives free access to its Professional Plan for all not-for-profit organisations and small businesses. Through July 1, 2020, they can use Hootsuite to engage with their audiences, create content efficiently, manage crisis communications and access a library of social media training courses for free.
Cérge: Click and collect concierge
Cérge is a click and collect concierge to support contactless services due to social distancing amid the Covid-19 pandemic. Customers can automatically notify retailers as they drive into the carpark or walk arrive at stores. They can share their photo, license plate details and receipt number. Stores can carry out contactless click and collect, call and collect or curb-side pickup process.
Step 1: Sign up and create an account at www.cerge.app
Step 2: Select the contactless service provided and other information for customers when they use the Cérge app.
Step 3: Enter store location/s
Step 4: Inform customers to download the Cérge App on Google Play
All fees and charges are waived until July 8 2020 for all businesses. The Cérge app is free for customers.
If interested, please contact chris@cerge.app.
GreenRoad: Drive & Track Mobile App
GreenRoad’s Drive & Track mobile app on smartphones allows companies to have a ‘finger on the pulse’ across operations, with its real-time visibility, utilisation, performance, logs, etc. while decreasing the OPEX. The service is available at a discounted rate.
For more information visit the website.
iAuditor: Free service for Frontline Workers
The Free Supplier Audit Software is a web-and-mobile solution for product quality managers so they can better manage their suppliers or vendors and verify factory production capability and compliance to quality standards.
The iAuditor Environmental, Health, Safety, and Quality Software is giving 6 months of free premium access to frontline workers. The free iAuditor is offered to 10 FMCG workers who can use the inspection checklists for:
Humanforce: Free workforce management tool
Humanforce is providing a free tool to help retailers keep track of their workforce, so they can tell people if they have been in contact with someone who has COVID-19. The Employee Trace Tool can be used in conjunction with any source of timesheet or roster data. It can also be used to help casual workers swap shifts online, if they fall ill or need to care for a loved one. Humanforce has made the tool available for free to any business, anywhere in the world, to support responsible COVID-19 responses.
Dashing: Reduced prices on social distancing decals
Dashing is offering a 15 per cent discount on decals to remind customers to practice social distancing in stores. The company offers a range of designs, including for kids, and can either install the decals itself, or send them to retailers for self-installation.
If interested, please contact Sales@dashinggroup.com.au.
Spend With Us: Free online marketplace for small businesses
Spend With Us is offering small rural and regional businesses access to a free online marketplace, so they can sell online even if they don’t have the time, money or skills to build their own e-commerce site. Spend With Us started in January to help small rural and regional businesses affected by the bushfires. Now it is opening up the platform to small rural and regional businesses affected by the coronavirus.
The platform is free, and there are no transaction fees. To sign up, click here.
FIAL: Market Diversification Virtual Workshop
FIAL’s is holding Market Diversification Virtual Workshop on Monday, June 8. It is a three-part webinar with a one-on-one consultation. The interactive online event will provide knowledge and tools needed to diversify and grow the business during the post-COVID-19 landscape. It offers early bird discount for those interested in the event.
TCI Oceania 2020: Online forums
TCI Network in Oceania holds webinars for including Clustering for Positive Futures, a three-part webinar series spread in April 30, May 14 and May 28.
Here are codes to access a A$5 discount:
| Registration Type | Discount Code |
| All three sessions | FIALFREE |
| Session One only | SHOCK |
| Session Two only | SURVIVE |
| Session Three Only | TRANSFORM |
Practicology: Free e-commerce workshops
Practicology is a consultancy specialising in e-commerce and multichannel retail. The company is offering free workshops to any retailer that needs assistance with planning or accelerating their e-commerce growth quickly.
Contact Merline McGregor at merline@practicology.com
Retail Doctor Group: Free phone consultations
Retail Doctor Group is offering free phone consultations to retailers via a confidential hotline through May. You can access the hotline at +61 2 9460 2882 or businessfitness@retaildoctor.com.au. Retail Doctor Group has consulted both leading senior retail and franchisee teams for 15 years and to over 800 retailers.
Adiona: Free access to last-mile delivery planning tools
Adiona is a technology company that offers route planning and optimisation tools for last-mile delivery. It has made these tools free to small retailers and food operators looking to ramp up their delivery capabilities without sacrificing margin to third-party platforms.
Interested businesses can apply here for details or contact info@adionatech.com directly.
Levity: Discounted rates for product videos
Levity is offering discounted rates, extended payment terms and other support for businesses that want to create video content to help drive sales online. Businesses can mail their products to the Levity office, where they will be filmed in a studio. Video assets will then be delivered electronically.
Here is a video from the company describing the offer.
CitrusAd: Free set-up for ad platform
CitrusAd is offering free set-up and training for retailers that want to start using its ad platform, as well as a free account manager for one month and no hosting or infrastructure fees.
The platform enables businesses to sell sponsored products and banner ads on their e-commerce sites, creating an extra revenue stream. It’s used by the likes of Woolworths, Coles, The Iconic, Officeworks and Dan Murphy’s.
Preezie: Discounted rates for guided product discovery
Preezie is offering free pilots, discounted rates and other support measures for businesses that want help with product discovery, education and conversions online. Preezie provides brands the tools and education they need to bring the in-store experience online.
Contact michael.tutek@preezie.com.
Agroknow: Free access to food safety platform
Food safety intelligence company Agroknow is offering free access to its global food safety platform for companies facing supply chain issues that are looking for alternative suppliers and ingredients and need to perform remote risk assessments.
Companies can also use the platform to monitor whether there are any COVID-19 related incidents affecting their supply chains.
Dynamic Creative: Free guide to Google Shopping Ads
Dynamic Creative is offering a free 37-page guide to Google Shopping Ads to help businesses boost their sales online. You can download the guide here. You do not need to provide any personal details.
LinkedIn: 16 free learning courses and free job postings
LinkedIn is holding 16 free learning courses online such as tips on how to stay productive, build relationships online, virtual meeting tools and balance family and work dynamics, etc.
It is also offering free job postings, promoting urgent jobs and providing hiring resources to help those in the frontline to find talent quickly. It will connect medical professionals to urgent healthcare roles; scale Recruiting for Good program; support healthcare staffing and recruiting customers with free data insights and provide content and resources.
Google: Hangouts Meet on G-suite
Google has a COVID-19 fund that enables all temporary staff and vendors worldwide to take paid sick leave. They have also made their video conferencing service, Hangouts Meet, available for all G-suite customers until July 1, 2020.
Nord VPN on sale
Nord VPN is now on sale for workers to safely work while using the internet with its VPN service.
