British Heart Foundation charity shops have partnered up with fashion marketplace app, Depop to reach a new audience of sustainable fashion lovers and have swiftly become a top seller on the platform.
Following a successful trial, we are set to accelerate our partnership with fashion marketplace app Depop, to help raise vital funds for research into heart and circulatory diseases and reach a new shopping community.
Since launching the British Heart Foundation’s (BHF) Depop account, our preloved items have proved extremely popular with the channel’s style savvy community, who by shopping our selection of quality secondhand items, have already helped us become top sellers on the site.
The online shop has a vast selection of stylish preloved goods, including vintage dresses, one-of-a-kind tops and jackets, retro sportswear and luxury branded pieces – all sold at great prices.
As the UK’s largest charity retailer, we have been responding to the Covid-19 pandemic by continuing to expand our online operations and are now rolling out training to shop staff so they can list items directly onto the Depop app. Our eBay store is already the largest online charity reseller in Europe.
With coronavirus having a big impact on the high street, Depop has been the ideal platform for us to sell trend-led donated items and attract a new audience of fashion focused shoppers, who are passionate about sustainability. Since launching, the BHF’s Depop shop has made nearly £10,000 for the charity’s vital research through the sale of hundreds of items.
Allison Swaine-Hughes, Retail Director at the British Heart Foundation, said: “We are delighted with the popularity of our Depop account and feel we have been truly embraced by its community of online shoppers who are looking for quality preloved items.
“Depop has given us a great opportunity to sell to an audience looking for special ‘one of a kind’ items at affordable prices, and who value the importance of shopping preloved.
“The coronavirus crisis had a huge impact on the BHF’s income and will continue to do so for years to come. By shopping with the BHF via our Depop shop, you will help us continue our vital heart research, and support the 7.4 million people living with heart and circulatory diseases who need us now more than ever.”
Peter Semple, Chief Marketing Officer at Depop, said: “At Depop, we’ve always been focused on championing and believing in the value of second hand as an alternative to shopping new, and charity shops have always played a natural, yet huge, role in helping to increase demand for unwanted clothes.”
“The brilliant nature of charities is that they offer such a wide variety of pieces that can appeal to everyone, so that’s something that British Heart Foundation has replicated perfectly when expanding on to Depop and seeing success across the board with their shop.
“Throughout the coronavirus crisis, we’ve been proud to be a valuable resource to charities like British Heart Foundation to help them continue to operate their businesses safely and successfully while physical retail closed, vital volunteering numbers decreased, and donations increased significantly.”
The coronavirus crisis has had a devastating impact on our income. The closure of our 730 shops for several months and cancellation of many fundraising events has resulted in our net income falling by around 50 per cent this financial year.
Every item sold through the BHF’s Depop shop will help us in our recovery and raise much needed funds for research that could help save lives.
