3 December 2004 - Spending power of disabled shoppers can benefit businesses
With twenty-one shopping days until Christmas, businesses around the country were urged today (Friday 3 December) to make sure they are open to the £80 billion pounds disabled shoppers have to spend.
New figures published on today's International Day of Disabled People show the spending power of disabled shoppers is £80 billion.
The figures use data from the Disability Discrimination Act and the Family Resources Survey 2002/03 to estimate the annual spending power of disabled adults. The previous figure for the spending power of disabled people was £50 billion.
Minister for Disabled People, Maria Eagle, believes the latest figures will give businesses food for thought in the light of new access provisions from 1 October.
The Minister said: “If traders want to make sure business is booming this Christmas they should really think about their disabled customers. With an annual spending power of around £80 billion, disabled shoppers will take their money somewhere else if they can’t get in.”
Maria Eagle added: “Not only will businesses lose out on their money but also that of their family and friends shopping with them.”
Meanwhile, today (Friday 3 December) is also UK Carers’ Rights Day and marks the first anniversary of the launch of the Carer’s Allowance e-service.
Since 1 December last year, customers have been able to claim Carer's Allowance and report changes of circumstances online. The Carer's Allowance e-service makes the whole service easier and often quicker to use.