The campaign, known as Magical Moments, will see 500 customers across the South of England receive free festive shops worth £30 each. In Wiltshire, customers will be surprised at the till with their Christmas shop paid for, offering relief during the costly holiday season.
Simon Eastwood, Chief Operating Officer at Southern Co-op, said:
“Winter presents real challenges for many communities, and our Magical Moments campaign is all about offering tangible support when it’s needed most as well as bringing those unexpected moments of joy to people’s day.
“From backing local groups doing vital work via our Winter Fund, to helping customers shoulder the cost of Christmas with free festive shops, we look forward to celebrating this special time of year with our colleagues and our customers in Wiltshire by giving a little back.
“Over the next few months, our colleagues will play an essential role in our campaign, with members of our Head Office working alongside store teams, which is a great reminder of what being a co-operative is really all about.
“We also have more to come as we roll out Magical Moments across our stores throughout December, so watch this space!”
In addition to the giveaways, Southern Co-op will award £75,000 in grants through its 2025 Winter Fund. The scheme will provide 50 grants of £1,500 to charities, food banks and community groups supporting people with warm spaces and meals.
The Winter Fund, now in its third year, is run in partnership with Neighbourly and has supported more than 100 causes since 2023. It is open to organisations in Wiltshire and other areas across the South.
Applications for funding are open until Saturday 30 November via www.neighbourly.com/winterfundsoco2025
