Big Issue Group transforms London high street with mural that shines a light on magazine vendors and new ways to boost earnings in challenging times

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.

The importance of supporting vendors cannot be overstated, especially in light of the cost of living crisis, and with 14m[1] living in poverty, which has driven more people to find different ways to stay afloat. The challenge people are facing is reflected in vendor numbers, which have increased by 10% since last year. BIG’s recent Impact Report also revealed demand for food and fuel support from vendors had increased sevenfold.

BIG has bolstered support of its vendor network in a number of ways to ensure vendors are able to sell as many copies of the magazine as possible. Throughout 2022, BIG supported vendors with digital and financial inclusion and helped them increase their earnings through its Frontline team. 221 vendors were provided with Zettle card readers and 205 smartphones were given to vendors. 50% of vendors in an average week are now able to accept cashless payments.

In addition to this sales support, BIG supported 1,174 vendors through the Big Issue frontline services to access support services including housing, wellbeing, financial advice and support, employment and food and fuel support.

Lord Bird, Founder of the Big Issue Group, said: “I started the Big Issue to help people help themselves off the streets and out of poverty. Sadly, the work we do has never been more important. And just like any small business, it simply doesn’t work without the support of the community. We hope this mural will resonate with the public and help boost the visibility of our vendors and the work they do.

“We are also pleased to mark the launch of yet another way by which customers can further connect with their local vendor. Which is why we are urging you to help boost your local vendor’s income by scanning their personalised QR code to share the vendor’s story and subscribe.”

Big Issue Group collaborated with a creative team and Global Street Art to bring the realistic 3D storefront to life. The artwork is located at Village Underground, measuring 7.4 metres high by 16 metres wide and will be on display until the 24July.

The vendors will be selling a special Art Edition of the magazine, which is a guest edit by street artist, My Dog Sighs. An exhibition will be held locally at Jealous Gallery, which will display a limited edition print by the artist created to help raise money for the Big Issue Group.

To boost vendor earnings, buy a copy of the magazine or subscribe online by visiting www.bigissue.com/boost-vendor-earnings

[1]https://www.ons.gov.uk/economy/inflationandpriceindices/bulletins/consumerpriceinflation/october2022