Charity shop

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

(Redirected from Thrift store)

A charity shop (UK), thrift store (U.S., Canada), resale shop (U.S.), or op shop (Australia/NZ, from opportunity shop) is a retail establishment operated by a charitable organization for the purpose of fundraising. Charity shops are a type of social enterprise. They usually sell second-hand goods donated by members of the public, and are often staffed by volunteers. Because the items for sale were obtained for free, they can be sold at very low prices. All the profits from the sales go towards the charity, apart from the costs for overheads such as lighting, electricity and the lease.

1 Popularity of charity shops
2 New goods sold at charity shops
3 History of charity shops
4 Charity shops in the United Kingdom and worldwide
5 See also
6 External links

[edit] Popularity of charity shops

Charity shops are often popular with the poor and with college students on a fixed income, but they are also popular with various subcultures. For example, clothing from charity stores was often modified by early punk rockers. In the United States shopping at a thrift store has become popular enough to earn a slang term, thrifting.

Environmentalists may prefer buying second hand goods as this does not use up resources or damage the environment as happens when new goods are made.

[edit] New goods sold at charity shops

Some thrift stores also sell a limited range of new goods which may have some connection with the cause the charity supports. Oxfam stores, for example, sell fair trade food and crafts. Other stores may sell new Halloween supplies and decorations where old vintage clothes are popular for use as costumes. Some stores specialise in selling books, music, or bridalwear.

[edit] History of charity shops

The first Oxfam charity shop in the United Kingdom was established in Broad Street, Oxford, and began trading in December 1947 (although the shop itself did not open until February 1948). Oxfam opened some of the first charity shops.

However, predating this, one of the first Red Cross shops was opened at 17 Old Bond Street, London, as early as 1941. In total over two hundred “permanent” (for the duration of the war) Red Cross gift shops and about 150 temporary Red Cross shops were opened during the war years. A condition of the shop licence issued by the Board of Trade was that all goods offered for sale were gifts. Purchase for re-sale was forbidden. The entire proceeds from sales had to be passed to the Duke of Gloucester’s Red Cross and St John Fund. Most premises were lent free of rent and in some cases owners also met the costs of heating and lighting.

During World War I similar fundraising activities occurred such as a bazaar in Shepherd’s Market, London which made £50,000 for the Red Cross.

[edit] Charity shops in the United Kingdom and worldwide

Oxfam has the largest number of charity shops in the UK with over 800 stores. Many of the Oxfam shops also sell books, and the organization now operate over 70 specialist Oxfam Bookshops throughout the United Kingdom, making them the largest retailer of second-hand books in Britain. Oxfam also have stores in Jersey, Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands and Hong Kong. Other charities with a strong presence on high streets in the UK include Age Concern, Cancer Research UK, Help the Aged, Save the Children, Scope and Sue Ryder. Many local hospices also operate charity shops to raise funds.