Retailers helped raise $23 million for the American Red Cross’ tsunami relief work, 5.5% of Americans’ $420 million total donation.
Several retailers set up donation sites in-store, often matching shopper contributions (Jan. 19 P&I). Meanwhile, airlines encouraged frequent fliers to donate miles and cash through their loyalty programs; some offered extra miles to members who donated cash.
The Red Cross reports that 41% of its individual donors prefer to make their donations through a local businesses. Costco Wholesale raised $4.5 million through its national customer donation program, and contributed another $1 million. Best Buy Co. raised $1 million in its stores nationally, then matched that with its own $1 million donation, per Red Cross. Safeway Stores raised $1.2 million.
The biggest retail donation came through Amazon.com, which collected $15.7 million from about 200,000 customers. Thirty retailers (supermarkets, c-stores, drugstores, consumer electronics, specialty stores) fielded donations.
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