Words by Smiley Team
The Covid-19 crisis meant a Christmas of shuttered shop fronts, striking a blow to the British retail sector. However, Oxfam’s online store fared better than any Christmas yet, with its internet sales rocketing. This was thanks to a drive by the charity to move shoppers online and the dedication of their shop workers. Although doors may have closed at the charity’s high street shops, inside, dedicated staff and volunteers worked hard to package and post items bought online.
Purchases from internet shoppers rocketed by 90 per cent compared to 2019. This meant that total sales during the nine-week festive trading period rose to over £3.4 million - a jump of £1.5m.
The increase was driven in part by an astounding 421 per cent rise in people buying from the Sourced by Oxfam range of ethical and sustainable products designed especially for Oxfam. Meanwhile, sales in second-hand items rose by 84 per cent.
Oxfam’s Chief Support Officer, Peter Haden, said: “The performance of our online shop was a bright light at an otherwise gloomy time for our shops. I can’t thank the public enough for their support – and our volunteers and shop managers for their excellent work raising funds for Oxfam during a challenging time for the High Street.”
He added: “I would urge everyone who would normally visit their high street Oxfam shop to take a look online – not least to check out January’s half-price sale.”
The bulk of purchases came from books, perhaps because people sought escapism throughout the long winter months in lockdown. Bargain hunters whipped rare and signed copies from the digital shelves, including a collection of three poems by Lord Alfred Tennyson, illustrated by Edward Lear, bringing in a whopping £2,500 for the organisation.
Second on the list of most popular items, women’s clothing attracted many shoppers, with one Chanel tweed coat selling for £1,150.
But this doesn’t mean Oxfam can relax now. Despite the boost in online sales, lockdown regulations offset the extra profit, with high street sales down by 50 per cent on last year due to the enforced shop closures.
With all 561 Oxfam shops closed across the country, Oxfam is urging people to continue shopping online to help the charity raise funds and tackle poverty around the world.
To support the cause and ensure funds continue to flow in, why not buy from the online Oxfam shop? You can find quality gifts from among their new products as well as clothes, accessories, music, books and collectables from their second-hand goods. For further information about its projects and how they source all new products sold contact [email protected].
Those who’d like to make a donation should visit their donations page. For every £1 spent, 84 per cent goes towards fighting poverty, while the remaining 16 per cent helps cover vital supports costs and additional funding endeavours.
The charity relies heavily on volunteers to do fundraising and campaigning. Those interested in joining the team can apply online.
