SPAR Ireland is currently trialling an innovative digital ‘Smart Poster’ collection solution in its nationwide estate of more than 400 stores. This solution allows customers to donate to SPAR’s official charity partner Make-A-Wish Ireland via their mobile telephones.

Cash payments have declined since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. With in-person donations at an all-time low, the charity sector has been severely impacted. This is particularly significant for Make-A-Wish Ireland. The charity does not receive any government funding and is dependent on support from the public and partners like SPAR to continue granting wishes.

The new technology, Strike Pay, is a portable personal payment tech designed to make paying convenient, safe, and easy for all.

Using this contactless technology, customers in SPAR stores across Ireland can now simply tap their smartphones on the special posters. A web page is subsequently opened on their device. The customer can then donate directly to Make-A-Wish using Apple or Android Pay or directly input their debit/card details.

Towards a cashless society

The initiative is designed to make it easier for people to donate money to worthy causes such as Make-A-Wish while instilling confidence in those who feel uncomfortable handling cash and donating via the traditional instore collection boxes. This is the latest sign of how Ireland is moving towards becoming a ‘cashless’ society.

Susan O’Dwyer, Chief Executive of Make-A-Wish Ireland, said, “COVID-19 has had a significant impact on our wish-granting and fundraising activities. This has resulted in planned wishes having to be rescheduled and re-imagined. We currently have more than 200 seriously ill children waiting for their wishes to be granted. Now more than ever, these children need what Make-A-Wish can bring in the form of hope, strength, and joy.”

Commenting, Colin Donnelly, SPAR Sales Director, said, “Over the last 15 months, we have seen a big decline in the number of people carrying cash in our stores. This has impacted the charity sector particularly badly. As SPAR Ireland’s official Charity partner, we are passionate about supporting the Make-A-Wish mission. We are delighted to trial this innovative technology in our stores, which is a great example of how technology plays a role in helping society one tap at a time. Helping make these sick children’s wishes come true is a way to give them hope and strength for their individual journeys. SPAR is proud to play whatever part we can.”

Raising awareness

Since adopting Make-A-Wish as SPAR Ireland’s official charity partner in 2019, SPAR retailers and their customers have raised nearly €300,000 for the charity.

SPAR has also announced that it is extending its partnership for a third year. As well as the new instore donation capability, SPAR will continue to contribute from the sale of selected SPAR Own Brand products and, COVID-19 restrictions allowing, hold several fundraising activities later this year and into 2022.

Source: SPAR Ireland

Read more about SPAR in Ireland

About SPAR Ireland

SPAR Ireland was established in 1963. It is operated by a leading wholesale and retail company, BWG Foods, now a subsidiary of SPAR Group Ltd Southern Africa.

With a presence across the Republic of Ireland, SPAR is one of the country’s largest convenience retail groups. In developing the business, SPAR Ireland has a long track record of recognising the strategic importance of new retail concepts. It operates three of the four SPAR formats: SPAR, EUROSPAR, and SPAR Express. These three formats bring consumers a comprehensive range of innovative products and instore offerings.