Reading Charity Mega Store To Extend Its Stay
Thrift seekers heading for Reading in droves forcing new Charity superstore to extend its run
The first regional Charity.SuperMkt thriving in Berkshire as consumers delight in a retail offer that addresses rising living costs and a desire to be more sustainable
17th April: Charity Super.Mkt is the new retail business model that’s out to benefit, consumers, charities and landlords in one profitable, purpose-driven package. This is a retail space shared by multiple charities to create a second-hand superstore where 80% of turnover goes directly to charities.
Reading Charity Mega Store Location
Following a sell-out success in London’s Brent Cross, the retailer is currently at The Oracle in Reading where it will now be extending its stay following stellar opening success. Since launching, Charity.SuperMkt has raised £500,000.
- 50,000 items sold so far
- Up to 75 customers through the tills per hour
- Increasing shopping centre footfall by 7%
- Local charities Thames Hospice and Helen & Douglas top the list of daily takings
Charity Super.Mkt has utilised the Oracle’s ex-Topshop unit – a demonstration of a circular model for retail replacing fast fashion.
Co-founder Wayne Hemingway said:
“The cost of living crisis, coupled with a desire to be more sustainable makes this the perfect retailer for 2023. It has the excitement of Topshop at the height of the 90s only this time it’s all about the circular economy and the money goes to causes that ultimately touch all our lives; end of life care, research into cancer, homelessness, looking after the ageing and caring for animals. We’re thrilled the good people of Berkshire are enjoying the store and are chuffed they’ve demanded an extension ”
Concessions
The retail experience is akin to a traditional department store but every concession is a charity. There is a mix of premium, mid-range and independent labels with plenty of high street and vintage mixed in. The model allows charities to make higher returns than in their own stores. By operating on a turnover rent, by working collaboratively reducing overhead costs to create economies of scale, when a shopper spends a pound with Charity Super.Mkt, a number of the charities have reported receiving more of that pound than from one spent in its own store. It’s cost effective, relatively risk-free and provides access to new audiences by placing charities right next door to high volume fashion outlets.
Co-founder Maria Chenoweth said:
This is the first-time charity retailers have retailed together, due to having a competition mindset. Here charities that support differing causes are joining forces, sharing resources and in doing so making more money for great causes, There is also the added benefit of learning from sharing expertise – in price points, staffing and stocking. The model works because it gives stakeholders in a retail space what they want – great products and affordability for consumers, increased footfall for landlords and increased revenue for the retailers. THIS is what the retail destinations of the future should look like.
Real Terms
To translate this impact in real terms, since launching, Charity Super.Mkt has enabled:
· Cancer Research to pay for 96 days of cancer nurses
· Shelter to fund 1000 webchat housing advice calls
· TRAID to fund vocational training for children of litter pickers in Dhaka
· 11 tonnes of clothing to be saved from landfill
