The number of Big Issue sellers has risen 10% in the past year, with the social enterprise group putting the increase down to cost of living pressures. Founder Lord Bird said more people have had to turn to selling the magazine – which supports those who do to earn an income – due to the “dire set of circumstances they are facing”.
There were 3,642 vendors in 2022 compared to 3,296 the year before, figures from the Big Issue Group show. Last year saw 899 people sign up to become a vendor and sell the magazine for the first time, the group said.
Some 2.2 million magazines were sold in 2022, earning Big Issue vendors a collective profit of £3.76 million. The figures come as the organisation launched its first ever national vendor week to celebrate enterprising vendors, their lives and work, featuring a special edition including vendors’ personal stories.
