Glasgow Fort shopping centre officially welcomed a new greener retailing tenant last night (27 June), as Charity Super.Mkt opened its doors at the western Scotland out-of-town leisure and retail venue.
The multi-charity fashion store concept, which has opened pop-up shops in London, Reading, and Manchester to date, will offer products from seven local and national charities.
Founded by designer Wayne Hemingway, and CEO of charity retailer TRAID, Maria Chenoweth, Charity Super.Mkt launched in January this year at Brent Cross Shopping Centre in north London. The pop-up has been marketed as a department store for second-hand clothing, as demand for pre-loved fashion continues to grow across the UK.
All parties involved support the idea that clothing should be kept in circulation for longer, and Hemingway and Chenoweth consider Charity Super.Mkt as a modern way for charity shops to reach consumers.
The new Glasgow Fort shopping centre store will sell second-hand clothing supplied by Cancer Research, Chest Heart Stroke Scotland (CHSS), Havens Hospices, Marie Curie, Prince & Princess of Wales Hospice, Shelter, and TRAID.
The store will also host DJ sessions every weekend. The idea is for multiple charities to work together and attract and engage new customers in a different shopping environment to that associated with the traditional charity shop.
Charity Super.Mkt has reported that it sold 40,000 second-hand items in just 41 days of trading at its first store in London, and the pop-up attracted 26,000 customers in total. More than £620,000 has been raised for UK charities so far, as a result of the concept launching.
Hemingway and Chenoweth view charity retail as very much part of the modern retail mix, arguing it provides quality and affordable clothing in a challenging economy, while also prolonging the life of garments that might otherwise head straight to landfill.
Chenoweth said: “Having been in charity retail for over 30 years, being part of the first ever charity retail collaboration is an amazing and positive experience.
“Charity Super.Mkt hits circular economy and sustainability aspirations, whilst also hitting the cost-of-living crisis. Charity retail is the understated best of sustainable business, there is no better example of an economy that delivers societal benefits at this scale.”
Hemingway promised Glasgow Fort shopping centre visitors a “revolving cohort of local and national charities who have all been squirrelling away great second-hand pieces”.
Jane-Claire Judson, CEO of CHSS, commented: “This is a chance for people to give their pounds real purpose.
“It’s a chance to celebrate sustainable fashion and give back to your local community. Every purchase made with CHSS is the difference between someone just surviving and really living.”
Charity Super.Mkt will be open 10am to 7pm on weekdays, 10am to 7pm on Saturdays, and 10am to 6pm on Sundays.
[Image credit: Charity Super.Mkt]
