B&Q owner Kingfisher will reportedly divert all of its remaining stock of personal protective equipment (PPE) to frontline healthcare workers across Europe. The home & DIY retail group, which operates stores across territories including the UK, France and Poland, will donate five trucks of protective eyewear and masks worth over £200,000 to the NHS emergency hub in the Midlands today.
Until now, Kingfisher donated a range of products across the territories it operates in, including £300,000 worth of PPE to NHS staff and 2.5 million products including gloves, masks, visors and protective suits to hospitals in Paris.The retail group has also ordered a further 3 million facemasks from suppliers in China and Israel that will be available toward the end of the month, either for donation to health authorities in the UK, France, Poland and Romania, or to equip store and distribution centre staff.
Mintel comment:
“Kingfisher is the latest in the home retail sector to contribute to the fight against COVID-19. This generous donation follows the news earlier this week that IKEA was to open a new coronavirus test centre for NHS workers in the car park of its Wembley store. Retail more broadly is on the frontline in turning the tide against the pandemic, from closing all non-essential stores to minimise new infections, donating stock or to providing infrastructure to aid across the public sector.
Although some retailers have perhaps come out less covered in glory, ultimately, the quicker that the UK can get this situation under control, then the quicker that business can return. Moreover, in these unprecedented times, marked by altruism and solidarity, then perhaps consumers will remember these instances of retailers giving back to the community. As discussed in Mintel Trend Moral Brands, this could in turn benefit retailers and brands as an important means of differentiation moving forward.”
