Boost Drinks distributes care packs to 1,500 retailers

Boost Drinks has supported 1,500 retailers amid the COVID-19 crisis as part of its care package initiative.

The Leeds-based soft drinks business distributed the care packs as a ‘thank you’ gesture to retailers for their service to local communities during the lockdown.

Amit Puntambekar, owner and manager of an independent retail store in Fenstanton, Cambridgeshire, commented: “As an independent business, we were able to move quickly to respond and ensure our community had all the necessities they needed. For us, the Boost care packages were invaluable, they offered clear POS to help our customers navigate the store and they even sent some of their sugar-free product to us, to keep our staff going.

“The support from the brand has been fantastic and they have truly been one of the standout suppliers during lockdown.”

500 of the packages included gifts for retailers and staff as well as advice posters, shelf POS and floor signs to aid social distancing in-store. An additional 1,000 retailers received POS packs through depots of wholesalers.

Eugene Diamond, an independent retailer from Ballymena, Northern Ireland, added: “I’ve been a newsagent for over forty years and the beginning of the pandemic was the longest period of time I’ve had to shut my store.

“When I reopened, it was really important that we did so in a safe way so that our community could get what they needed without any risk. The care packages from Boost helped us communicate the safest ways around the store and ensured that we met guidelines the government had put in place.”

In addition to the care packages, Boost Drinks also sent out free drinks to NHS staff and other key workers at the height of lockdown, reaching more than 100,000 people.

Simon Gray, managing director and founder of Boost Drinks, said: “We’re so proud to support independent retailers across the UK and Northern Ireland – it’s been our mission since the business first started. We’ve worked hard to ensure our stock levels haven’t dropped for any reason and have provided a regular set of updates on our website so our customers know how our business has been doing, so they can plan for theirs.

“There have been so many challenges during lockdown and retailers across the country have worked tirelessly to make sure the impact on their communities and customers is reduced. Retailers are integral to what we do and to be able to help so many of them during a tough time has really been a pleasure.”