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GroceryAid services more in demand than ever

Industry charity GroceryAid’s annual Impact Report reveals the highest-ever demand for its support services for industry colleagues.

Industry charity GroceryAid experienced a 61% increase in instances of welfare support for industry colleagues last year, according to its latest annual Impact Report.

The report also details a 98% increase in the number of Relate counselling sessions delivered in 2021 and a 101% increase in legal advice referrals. The GroceryAid Welfare Team also dealt with an average of 744 applications for fi nancial support per month, a rise of more than 150% compared to the previous year.

The increase in demand for GroceryAid’s services highlights the vital role played by the charity and refl ects growing awareness among industry colleagues of the support that GroceryAid can off er in times of need.

Allan Leighton, GroceryAid President, said “In the past year, GroceryAid has provided more emotional, practical and fi nancial support than ever before in its 165-year history. As employers take admirable steps to protect colleagues from the emotional and economic aftermath of Covid, we are helping record numbers cope with the unforeseen changes to their personal circumstances. This year’s Impact Report outlines how we are using the generous donations of our supporters to improve the lives of our colleagues across the industry.”

Mandi Leonard, GroceryAid Welfare Director, added: ‘‘We will continue to be here for everyone who needs us in the grocery and independent retailing industry.”

The full Impact Report is available to read on the GroceryAid website: www.groceryaid.org.uk

INBRIEF

BARCODE 2023 OPEN FOR BOOKINGS

Following the huge success of GroceryAid’s fl agship event, Barcode Festival 2022, the charity has announced that tickets are already on sale for the 2023 running of the musical extravaganza.

This year’s festival raised an incredible and record-breaking £900,000 for the charity and GroceryAid is looking to build on that success with an even “bigger and better” event in 2023.

More than 200 businesses are expected to be in attendance and Premier retailers can reward their team for their hard work with a Barcode 2023 ticket.

Tickets cost £350 and include food and drink all day, as well as performances from some of the world’s bestknown artists.

Visit www.barcodefestival. co.uk to fi nd out more or to

book tickets.

TALKING TACTICS

What are you doing in-store to stand out in your local market? Share it with us and your Premier retailer colleagues at talkingshop@booker.co.uk