Asda removes all Russian products from its shelves and pledges £1m support package to displaced Ukrainian families

Asda will suspend the sale of Russian sourced products in both its supermarket and online stores as it pledge £1m to support displaced Ukrainian families in Europe and here in the UK.

Alongside its charity, the Asda Foundation, the supermarket is providing immediate support for families forced to leave their homes in the aftermath of the Russian invasion and long-term support for Ukrainian refugees that arrive in the UK. The support package includes the following measures:

Pledging £100k in Asda Foundation support to national UK-based refugee support groups.

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Making Asda Foundation grants of up to £580k available to support local and grass-roots refugee groups across the UK.

Asda's Pudsey superstore.  Pics by James Hardisty.Asda's Pudsey superstore.  Pics by James Hardisty.
Asda's Pudsey superstore. Pics by James Hardisty.

A £250k corporate donation to UNICEF to support the setup of a Blue Dot centre, providing a safe space for up to 5,000 children and families on the move and emergency water and hygiene kits to be deployed on the ground.

Essential supplies including George clothing, nappies, toiletries, period products and food delivered by Asda logistics partners to a supplier site in Poland for onward distribution in Ukraine.

In addition to the support package, Asda will enable customer cash donations in-store and via grocery home shopping to international charities working on the ground in Ukraine and neighbouring countries. The supermarket has also confirmed that it is removing products that originate from Russia from its stores and online.

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Mohsin Issa, Asda’s co-owner, said: “We stand with our customers and colleagues who are shocked by the Russian invasion of Ukraine - and our thoughts are with those people whose lives are affected by this crisis. The community spirit that is at the heart of Asda extends beyond our own borders and we’re proud to have worked with a range of partners in the UK to provide practical and meaningful support for Ukrainians at home and for those who continue to seek safety in neighbouring countries.”

John Cookman, deputy chair at the Asda Foundation said: “We have a long history of supporting grassroots community groups across the UK, and that includes when communities respond in times of global crisis. As we look ahead to the coming months we see an ongoing need to support refugees arriving in the UK and are pleased to be able to play our part in helping groups to provide essential support services on the ground.”

The move drew rare praise from the trade union movement.

Nadine Houghton, GMB National Officer, said: ‘’Asda’s efforts to support people in Ukraine is to be applauded.

“We don’t always see eye to eye with the Asda top brass, but credit where it is due, they are doing the right thing.

“GMB’s Asda workers stand in solidarity with Ukrainian retail and distribution workers during this appalling invasion.”

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