Retailer’s community fund raising soars past £12m for the first time

It generated £1m from retailers and shoppers in the most recent 12 months to push the grand total past £12m since MADL was set up in 2008. During that time, Nisa retailers have made more than 14,500 donations to foodbanks, hospices, refuges, youth sports teams and community groups.

The retailer’s head of charity, Kate Carroll, said: “We are thrilled that our retailers and their customers have helped to raise more than £12m for thousands of very deserving charities and good causes.

“The way the charity is funded meant that, as own-label sales saw a significant increase at the start of the pandemic, so too did our charity’s income, enabling Nisa partners to provide even more support to local communities at a time when it was so desperately needed.

“The additional funding has seen our retailers quickly responding to the needs of local causes that needed it the most and it’s just one of the many ways in which independent retailers add value to their local communities.”

Steve Leach, sales director at Nisa, said: “The fact we have just passed the £12m raised mark is just fantastic. MADL is a tremendous USP for Nisa. The community element has been fantastic and it’s really good to celebrate that.”

MADL raises funds in Nisa stores from sales of Co-op and Heritage own-label products, a percentage of which goes into a virtual fund for retailers to donate locally. Additional funds are also raised through in-store collecting tins.

Retailers are able to donate funds raised to a local charity or good cause of their choice within a 10-mile radius. There are over 2,300 stores participating in the scheme.