AN EDINBURGH charity shop is undergoing a revamp in a bid to attract more bargain hunters.
In response to the financial pinch felt by consumers, Shelter Scotland’s Stockbridge shop will be the first in the capital to undergo a transformation as part of the housing and homelessness charity’s plans to rejuvenate all of its shops across Scotland.
Recent research shows that in the last 12 month 77% of people have visited a charity shop, with 58% claiming low prices and good value for money are reasons they shop in charity shops.
Shelter Scotland hopes the revamp of their shops will lead to higher footfall and donations, with cash-strapped consumers looking for second-hand alternatives of the things they would usually buy from high street shops.
Meanwhile, 77% of people say they have donated to charity shops in the last 12 months because they wanted to help others in need, despite experiencing a strain on their own personal finances.
The shop in Stockbridge is the most successful of the charity’s UK shops, and is best known for its Christmas and New Year sales. Every year it attracts hundreds of bargain hunters with top brand names such as Prada, Dior and Lanvin up for grabs.
Humbling
Graeme Brown, Director of Shelter Scotland, said: “It’s humbling to know that despite the struggle faced by many households, they are still showing enormous generosity by donating to our shops. Due to the effects of rising prices and stagnant salaries, consumers have become increasingly savvy about where they spend their hard-earned cash.
“Our hope is that our new-look shops will be well received by our existing dedicated customers and attract new ones. We’re bringing charity shops back in to fashion and making them a real alternative in the face of rising prices.”
Starting with Shelter Scotland in Stockbridge, all of the charity’s eight shops in Edinburgh will be refurbished and rebranded to represent the Scotland-arm of the housing and homelessness charity.
As well as higher footfall in the revamped shops, the charity hopes to encourage more people to donate items they no longer need.
Mr Brown added: “The top two reasons for why people donate to charity shops are to help people in need and it’s become a convenient place to take items they no longer need. Nevertheless, stock remains one of the most important issues facing charity retailers. We hope that the people of Edinburgh will continue to support Shelter Scotland. Without their help and generosity we would not be able to continue our fight to end bad housing and homelessness.”
