Source: MIL-OSI Submissions
Source: Impact PR
Thousands of charity recipients are set to benefit from the rapid recovery of suburban hospitality and retail as growing numbers of consumers opt to purchase locally.
The trend has seen one of the Auckland region’s largest food and beverage retailers bounce back strongly after COVID – bringing flow on benefits for local charities and community groups.
Along with food venues the upsurge in local retail beverage purchases has also provided additional revenue for charitable initiatives.
A $1 million charitable fund, made up of profits from the hospitality industry, will provide dozens of community groups with up to $50,000 each towards projects which support those living in West Auckland.
Allan Pollard, CEO of The Trusts, which established the Your West Support Fund says their hospitality and retail business is performing significantly better than expected in the year, having been initially impacted by the pandemic lock downs.
He says they have doubled the size of their charitable fund over the previous year after receiving a significant boost in revenue from Kiwis dining and shopping locally.
“What we are seeing is strong support for suburban hospitality venues as well as increased retail activity.
“This is driven by a range of factors including; more people working from home and dining out locally and a reduction in overseas travel which also decreases the amount of duty free alcohol purchased through this channel.
“We are also seeing a consumer behaviour trend towards the purchase of higher value beverages which is having a positive impact on revenue,” he says.
Pollard says the 2020 funding round was dedicated towards providing essential community support groups with sufficient revenue to cover their overheads.
“Despite our own revenues being disrupted as a result of the pandemic last year we were able to provide $500,000 towards ensuring the continuity of local groups.
“This year we will be donating $1m to broaden our support and help more members of the community as we start to look beyond the immediate impacts of COVID,” he says.
