Late in the summer, Cadbury unveiled a chocolate bar wrapper in partnership with Age UK that brings attention to loneliness in the elderly and now the pair have also opened a unique chocolate shop as a continuation of this campaign. The Donate Your Words shop is a place for people to visit and pick up any item they desire—but only in exchange for a promise to reach out or talk to a lonely older person. Whether it's simply saying hello to an elderly neighbor or ringing a relative on the phone, the campaign brings attention to the fact that there are more than 225,000 older people who often go a whole week without speaking to anyone.
While Cadbury's special edition chocolate bars are already doing their part to bring attention to the issue, the physical shop aims to make even more difference to the community.
Word Currency Shops
Cadbury and Age UK's Chocolate Shop Invites People to Donate Words
Trend Themes
1. Social Responsibility Shops - Physical shops that encourage social responsibility and giving back by exchanging items for promises to engage in socially responsible behavior.
2. Loneliness Awareness Campaigns - Campaigns that bring attention to the issue of loneliness in the elderly and encourage people to take action to combat it.
3. Donate-for-action Initiatives - Initiatives that encourage donations or exchanges in exchange for specific, actionable promises to bring about positive change.
Industry Implications
1. Food and Beverage - The food and beverage industry can explore the concept of exchange for social responsibility through their products and services to create disruptive change.
2. Non-profit Organizations - Non-profit organizations can use the donate-for-action model and create innovative campaigns for social change.
3. Retail - Retail businesses can leverage the idea of social responsibility shops to encourage people to engage in responsible behavior in exchange for items or services.