Retailers encouraged to back Purple Tuesday initiative

Businesses are being encouraged to register for Purple Tuesday to learn more about the purple pound.

Over 13 million people in the UK, one fifth of the population, live with a disability and households with a disabled person spend a combined £249 billion a year. But many businesses could do more in this area, according to Purple, the organisation behind Purple Tuesday.

Purple Tuesday will take place on 12th November 2019. Businesses that register will benefit from free resources on topics such as website accessibility and customer service training. Last year over 750 organisations participated, including Asda, M&S and Sainsbury’s.

Geraldine El Masrour, Centre Manager at Motherwell Shopping Centre, comments “Following Purple Tuesday, one of our Security Officers put his dementia training into action to support a shopper, who had previously been seen as disruptive, to make a purchase. The customer was so happy he cried.”

Mike Adams, Chief Executive at Purple Tuesday, comments: “Meeting the needs of disabled customers makes commercial sense for businesses of all sizes, from all sectors. Purple Tuesday is a milestone moment, but the issue is relevant 365 days a year. From retail to restaurants, tourism to insurance, we’re calling on businesses across all sectors to back the initiative and commit to changing the customer experience for disabled people for good.”