The Big Issue Group (BIG) has unveiled a shopfront mural in Shoreditch, London entitled – ‘The Street is my Store’ – in an effort to highlight that, despite not having a traditional bricks and mortar outlet from which to sell, vendors are running mini businesses, buying and selling copies of the magazine to earn a living in order to change their lives.
The mural, created by Global Street Art’s Lead Artist, Peter Barber, also aims to raise awareness of a new and innovative digital initiative that will help create new ways for customers to interact with vendors and help bolster Big Issue vendors’ income.
From today, BIG has launched a new digital initiative empowering selected vendors with personalised QR codes on lanyards and webpages allowing consumers to share with their friends and family to boost vendor sales. This initiative will eventually be rolled out to all vendors.
The creative campaign also aims to reframe the public’s perception of what it means to sell the Big Issue and to highlight the hard work of its vendors. The campaign is designed to raise awareness of Big Issue vendors as running their own mini enterprises.
Vendors buy magazines for £2 and sell them on for £4. Customers can also subscribe with a vendor online, which provides a vital additional source of regular income.
With the support of BIG, these micro-business owners learn vital skills that help them grow and develop, meeting their personal, social and financial goals. However, these businesses wouldn’t be viable without public support.