Perth Voice Interactive

PERTH thrift shops are getting creative to attract new shoppers and keep up with mainstream retailers.

Staff at Vinnies’ retro stores—in Northbridge and Fremantle—are buying in second-hand stock such as scarves from Italy to add to their in-store collections of used and donated items.

WA Vinnies society spokesperson Carl Prowse says a shortage of ”quality” donations is behind the new move.

He says all stock has an ethical track record.

“When there are shortfalls in items for our shops, we try to source locally but there are occasions where we have to look elsewhere,” he says.

“Within the current economic climate people are holding on to their clothing longer, are selling items online—for example, Gumtree—whereas previously they would have donated them to a charity.”

He says stores have been able to keep up with mainstream retailers “only because have been adaptable and have recognised a need to evolve and try new approaches”.

“We have found this does attract more people into the shops as they know they can get good quality clothing at reasonable prices,” he says.

“These items provide a point of difference in a very competitive charity retailing market.”

He says the initiative isn’t about boosting sales, but meeting the needs of a community which likes to shop retro—and is conscious of not losing sight of providing inexpensive options for people on tight budgets.

by EMMIE DOWLING