Depop is supporting the development of online charity shops through its platform.
The fashion marketplace, which was acquired by Etsy earlier this year and specialises in selling pre-loved items via its popular app, has set up a Charity Seller Programme to give not-for-profit organisations a helping hand in the world of eCommerce.
Participating online charity shops will be supplied with the tools, resources, exclusive offers and personalised support to get the most from their digital endeavours, according to Depop.
Depop said the move comes after a period of significant growth for charity eCommerce. The volume of charity shop listings on Depop, it explained, has increased by nearly 600% since the beginning of the UK coronavirus lockdown in March 2020.
And according to data from the Charity Retail Association trade body, the shift online was necessary because the average charity shop in the UK lost over £33,000 in income when high streets closed during the third lockdown.
Rachel Swidenbank, vice president of sellers at Depop, commented: “The pandemic prompted many charities to pivot towards online selling, and we think there’s an amazing opportunity to build on this as the popularity of second-hand fashion continues to grow.
“Using platforms like Depop, charities can reach a much wider audience with a more extensive offering than they can on their shop floors.”
It is estimated 73% of unwanted clothing is still incinerated or landfilled, and Swidenbank remarked: “Together with the charity sector, we’re advocating for a wider audience to buy and sell second-hand as an undeniably better option for the planet and its people.”
Depop lists British Heart Foundation, Oxfam Festival Shop, Demelza Hospice, and Traid as some of the most successful online charity shops using its platform.
Allison Swaine-Hughes, retail director at the British Heart Foundation, noted: “Since launching, we have become one of the top sellers on the site, with a five-star rating and now have 14,000 followers, who have helped raise £28,000 for the charity’s vital research into heart and circulatory diseases.”
Read more about pre-loved fashion on Green Retail World
[Image credit: Depop]
