Grab yourself a designer bargain as Oxfam opens first superstore
QUEUING outside a charity shop to make sure you bag a bargain may sound excessive.
But if you’re looking for designer items at a fraction of the usual prices, it might be worth checking out Oxfam’s first superstore.
The enormous shop – 12 times the size of most of Oxfam’s stores – is stocking luxury goods including a Swarovski crystal necklace, Gucci shoes and Victoria Beckham-branded clothes at discount prices.
The 18,500 sq ft store, located on the edge of Oxford, is expecting hordes of eager shoppers at its launch today. It also sells online.
The Swarovski crystal necklace, still in its original box, is priced at £250, while similar necklaces on the jeweller’s website retail at more than £700. Another bargain up for grabs is a Victoria Beckham-branded black and white shirt with rabbit detailing on the collar, priced at only £14.99.
It is no longer available on the designer’s official website but similarly styled shirts are priced at over £600, meaning the lucky buyer will be getting a 97 per cent discount.
A brown Moschino belt, normally sold for about £180, is on sale in the Oxfam shop for £35, while a pair of Gucci men’s shoes, priced at £19.99, usually retail for more than £500.
Discounted white goods are also sold, including washing machines and fridges.
The first Oxfam shop opened on Oxford’s Broad Street in 1948 and was the UK’s first charity outlet.
Celebrity backers include Kylie Minogue, who donated a sun visor earlier this year, and Cure frontman Robert Smith, who donated a shirt.
An Oxfam in Kensington, London, is thought to receive donations from the Royal Family, who live nearby.
The most expensive item in the new shop is an Ercol dining table set with six chairs, priced at £700. The premium-brand furniture set usually retails for around £1,500 to £2,000.
One of the more unusual pieces is a water rowing machine, which recreates the sound of paddles gliding through water. Similar machines are normally available for £1,000, but this one is only £400.
Julie Neeve, the new store’s project manager, said: ‘We’ve had a temporary donation centre for the past two months, and there have been kind donations from the public bringing them to the site here.
‘In terms of pricing, we look at what they originally cost and what they are selling for online at the moment. We have really experienced staff and volunteers who price them up and make sure we are getting the right money for these items.
‘The better-quality items have better longevity and there is more life in the clothes. We’re hoping to encourage the younger generation to invest in these pieces and buck the fast fashion trend.
‘We’re full of unique items – it gives people the chance to find things that aren’t necessarily on the high street and for great value.’
‘Buck the fast fashion trend’