The world has watched on in horror as Russia has invaded Ukraine. While members of the public clamber to do what they can to help, the retail community has also taken steps to support Ukraine. Retail Gazette highlights some of the ways retailers have lent their support.
Kurt Geiger
Footwear retailer Kurt Geiger has donated last week’s store profits, a total of £50,000, to support the British Red Cross Ukraine Crisis Appeal.
The organisation is working with the Ukrainian Red Cross Society and the International Committee of the Red Cross to help repair homes, healthcare centres, school and community centres that have been damaged during the fighting.
Donations will also help the charities to support hospitals and primary health care facilities with medicines and medical equipment.
Kurt Geiger chief executive Neil Clifford explained: “We have always been ardent advocates of empathy, compassion and spreading kindness to those who need it most.
“Currently, there are hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians in need of financial, practical and emotional support. This is a situation of human suffering and we believe we have a moral obligation to reach out and help in any way we can.
“We sincerely hope this initial contribution will help the British Red Cross continue to deliver this essential humanitarian support and help the people of Ukraine through this time of crisis.”
Etsy
Etsy will waive all fees owed by Ukrainian sellers, a sum of approximately $4 million, amid Russia’s invasion.
The online marketplace has said it is committed to “creating opportunities and offering assistance in times of distress or injustice”.
The balances written off include listing fees, transaction fees, advertising fees and more.
In a blog post, Etsy chief executive Josh Silverman said it had reached out to sellers in the region to ensure they know how to access help with their accounts or temporarily place their shops on hold. He hopes the move will alleviate some of the burden on those affected by the conflict.
Tesco
Tesco has a sizeable business in Central Europe including in Slovakia and Hungary which both share borders with Ukraine.
Tesco CEO Central Europe Matt Simister has been sharing on his LinkedIn page how the grocer has been delivering relief packages for displaced Ukrainians around Eastern Europe.
He wrote: “Steered by the Red Cross our initial donations have been food, water, hygiene produts and clothing, but our humanitarian aid will evolve with the needs of those impacted/displaced.”
Tesco Mobile has also removed all call and text charges for UK customers contacting loved ones in Ukraine.
Apple
Tech giant Apple has halted product sales and services in Russia. The tech manufacturer and retailer said: “We are deeply concerned about the Russian invasion of Ukraine and stand with all of the people who are suffering as a result of the violence.”
Apple Pay and other services such as Apple Maps have also been limited.
The move comes after Ukraine’s digital minister Mykhailo Fedorov wrote to Apple CEO Tim Cook, pleading with him to freeze sales in Russia. Fedorov hopes this will infuriate young Russians and motivate them to protest against the invasion of Ukraine.
Pandora
Pandora has reacted quickly to the conflict in Ukraine and donated $1 million to Unicef’s efforts to help children affected by the humanitarian crisis.
Pandora chief executive Alexander Lacik said: “We wish to help the children of Ukraine and their families in this terrible conflict. They need shelter, water, food, medicine, safe zones, and other support to live through the crisis. Unicef’s work is critical and desperately needed.”
Unicef’s director for private fundraising and partnerships Carla Haddad Mardini said the donation was both timely and significant in size.
“When partners, like Pandora, respond quickly to our humanitarian appeal, it helps us to act swiftly and provide assistance for those that need it most. In crises, timing is everything,” she said.
Marks & Spencer
M&S is also a supporter of Unicef and this week encouraged shoppers to select it as their chosen charity while using its Sparks loyalty card and vowed to double the donation it makes every time a customer shops.
The proceeds will fund Unicef’s emergence appeal to help protect children in Ukraine and give them access to critical supplies.
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