Thrift shops
Thrift shops have the purpose to give a second life to things which will not be used anymore.
People give stuff to specials shops, “thrift shops” : clothes, trinkets, furniture, books, toys, etc.
This shops sell this stuff to people who are in need, so it’s a good deal for everybody.
This
movement is against waste. Charity shops are often staffed by
volunteers.The items for sale were obtained for free, and business costs
are low, so the items can be sold at competitive prices.
History :
Thrift shops were born in 1899, and it was during the Second World War that the charity shop became widespread.
They
are popular with people who are frugal, in need. Thrift shops became
more and more popular because people want to be more responsible. One of
the earliest charity shops was set up by the Wolverhampton Society for
the Blind in 1899
Now, there are a lot of quite famous charity shops n the world, like Oxfam in the UK or Emaüs in France.
Oxfam:
What is it ?
Oxfam was founded in 1942 in Oxford by a group of Quakers. This name
comes from “ the Oxford committee” but Oxfam international was founded in
1955 for reduce injustice and poverty. Today, there are many Oxfam shops : in Ireland, in Australia, in France, in Hong Kong, in India …
Oxfam works directly with communities to influence the
powerful to ensure that poor people can improve their lives and
livelihoods and have a say in decisions that affect them.
Owfan
opened their first charities shop in 1948. The largest part of Oxfam
shares comes from public donations but it also aims to sell the product
of Fair Trade in Africa, Asia and South america.
Retritex:
How does it work ?
When you don't want to wear your clothes anymore, you can put them in a bag and you depose it
in a “Relais” locate near you. Arrived at the factory, the clothes are sorted. Each day, 15 tons of dechet are sorted and 47 % of the production are for the exportation, 3.5 % are sold in stores, 40.5 % are
recycled to make wiping fabrics and insulation and 6 % are destroyed. A part of the textile export share is pressed and packed in
bales of 400 to 500kg by operators handlers and are sent to Africa. But in France, sorted clothing in good condition are for sale in Emmaüs shops.
So there's something for everyone, all ages and all budgets, especially
small ones!
Other associations/groups of charity shops in the world:
- Disasters Emergency Committee
- Make trade Fair
- Oxfam international youth partnership
- Seoul Peace Prize
- ox-Tales
Sources
