Retailers in Ireland contributed over €6m to charity in 2016

Customers expect businesses to contribute to the community they trade in

Ireland's eight largest food, beverage and retail companies contributed €6m to support community groups and organisations in 2016, creating almost 3,000 community partnerships along the way.

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Statistics from 56 of Ireland’s largest companies, that are members of corporate responsibility and sustainability organisation Business in the Community Ireland, have revealed that its eight largest members contributed €6,171,006  and a total of 10,873 volunteer hours to local community groups and projects in 2016.

The breakdown in support from these eight companies was €1,687,103 in cash donations, employee fundraising of €1,921,643 and in-kind support of €2,562,560.

The group’s annual report revealed that employees increasingly wish to work with companies whose values align with their own, and expect employers to engage with community groups as standard. Meanwhile, customers aim to buy from socially minded and responsible businesses.

Tina Roche, Business in the Community Ireland’s chief executive said community engagement is just one part of corporate social responsibility. “Companies must also look at how they also engage with their own employees, customers, suppliers, the environment and much more,” she said. “However, when it does come to community, we know that consumers want to know what companies are doing to tackle social issues.”

According to a 2015 study by Cone Communications, when companies support social or environmental issues, consumer affinity overwhelmingly upsurges with 93 percent of global citizens having a more positive image of that company, 90 percent more likely to trust that company and 88 percent being more loyal (i.e., continuing to buying products or services).

“Companies in the consumer sector must look at their overall corporate social responsibility and sustainability,” Roche added. “Customers want to know what companies are doing, so communicating community involvement helps attract and retain employees.”

The eight companies singled out for praise were Musgrave, Boots, Dawn Meats, Heineken, Irish Distillers, Marks & Spencer, Compass and Tesco.

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