This article is provided by BRC Retail Member, Dunelm.

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The retail sector plays a vital role in serving communities across the UK. It provides rewarding careers, serves as a hub for local community and charitable initiatives, and is a key driver of economic growth.  Through its scale and reach, the industry can continue to make a significant contribution to the UK’s growth agenda, harnessing the millions of colleagues and customers who keep the sector thriving, day-in, day-out.

By leading, investing in and supporting local initiatives, retailers can help to create a more vibrant local economy, as well as being a force for social good.  At Dunelm, we recognise that contributing to our communities helps encourage economic growth and create a sense of unity, and we are passionate about the role all of our 184 stores play in their local areas across the country.

As an integral part of the socio-economic fabric of the UK, retail inspires people to give back to their communities.  In many of our stores, we encourage customers to donate pre-loved homewares, such as kitchenware, storage and home decorations, to be re-homed in their communities as part of our ‘Home to Home’ initiative. The items are then redistributed via local charities to people who may be struggling to feel at home, such as those living in temporary accommodation and refugees.

Fostering connections within local communities is also a key priority of ours. That is why we offer up our stores as a meeting point for various groups, such as sewing classes, who use our Pausa Cafés, providing a safe space for our communities to convene.

But our efforts do not stop there. The UK’s dynamic retail industry raises over £500 million a year for charitable causes, and we are proud to contribute to this. The charitable initiatives we lead at Dunelm have a tangible impact on our communities and I would like to spotlight our Delivering Joy campaign which has taken place every Christmas for the past four years. Through this, we encourage customers to donate gifts for those who are less fortunate, which we then distribute to the local community. Over 125,000 gifts were donated across 180 locations last year, benefiting a variety of causes including care homes and food banks.

We also recently launched a new charity partnership with Age UK to raise £2 million to help combat loneliness amongst the elderly. Our colleagues took part in a company-wide fundraiser, coming together for the ‘Dunelm Step Challenge’ to raise vital funds for this important cause. As 2.1 million older people live in poverty and are amongst the worst hit by the cost-of-living crisis, such initiatives help to raise awareness of this important issue and encourage positive change.

With its scale, there’s so much the retail sector can continue to do to support charities at both a local and national level. It’s therefore crucial that the UK maintains the mechanisms and incentives to encourage charitable giving.

Retail plays a key role in communities, which goes significantly beyond the provision of products and services. Fostering economic growth, supporting charities, and cultivating a sense of community spirit, it has real and positive impact on local areas.  We want decision-makers across the country to #BuyIntoRetail and support the BRC’s campaign to encourage investment in the sector to support and celebrate retail’s impact across the country and maintain momentum in this crucial driver of the economy.