Alison Clements
“How retailers treat their workers during this pandemic will define their brand for decades to come – join with RWRC, retailTRUST and the BRC to provide much-needed aid and assistance to the industry.”
This is the exciting and timely fundraising campaign just launched by key stakeholders in the retail industry.
The initiative’s organisers are RWRC – comprising Retail Week and World Retail Congress – the retail workforce’ charity retailTRUST and the British Retail Consortium. They have joined forces to raise £10 million for retail staff who are facing financial distress as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
Financial, emotional and vocational support
The funds will provide financial, emotional and vocational support to store workers who may be ineligible for government support during the health emergency.
“CaRe20 will offer a lifeline to those on retail’s front line who are putting their customers’ health and wellbeing before their own, including contractors and temporary staff, those who have already been left out of work and employees who may need more than just financial help,” says Retail Week on its website.
It is hoped CaRe20 will support thousands of people working in retail through a host of initiatives, from financial help with food and household bills to online self help tools and retraining for those who need to adapt to a new job role.
“CaRe20 will offer a lifeline to those on retail’s front line who are putting their customers’ health and wellbeing before their own,” say the organisers.
Government help will not be enough
The UK government has already committed to financially supporting retained employees who cannot work with an 80% subsidy up to £2,500 a month – but retailTRUST, RWRC and the BRC believe this will not come close to solving the real problems.
retailTRUST chief executive Richard Boland said: “Covid-19 has created unprecedented challenges for society and the retail community. How we all care for each other will define how well the nation will come out of this in the future.
”We are experiencing unprecedented demand for our online services, especially via myrtwellbeing.org.uk, and we are ready with emergency funding to support all involved, but the length and depth of the need for support will dwarf anything we have seen in the last 100 years. We need your help.”
