Op shops’ ‘second Christmas’
Charity shops have reopened to record sales following an influx of donated goods after lockdown clutter clean-outs.
Hospice Taranaki chief executive Paul Lamb said sales at the organisation’s shops across the region have ‘‘taken off like a rocket’’ since they reopened on the first Monday of coronavirus alert level 2.
Much like himself, Lamb said people had used lockdown to clear out their homes.
As a result, the group’s Borrell Ave, New Plymouth, warehouse saw at least 100 vehicles drop off clothing, bric-a-brac, electrical goods and furniture every day of last week — three times the number of vehicles on an average day pre-lockdown.
‘‘It’s been a phenomenal response from the community,’’ Lamb said.
‘‘We’re hugely grateful because they’re items we can turn straight over into our shops for sale and help our revenues get underway again.’’
Lockdown had reduced the organisation’s monthly income by 55 per cent.
The stream of donations has been so incredible Lamb has had to get in two 40-foot shipping containers at the warehouse to quarantine donated products for three days.
The warehouse was the only drop-off point for New Plymouth donations until further notice, while the Stratford and Ha¯ wera hospice shops would continue to take goods.
Liz Collins of The Salvation Army Stratford likened the first week back at work to Christmas.
Workers returned the first day of level 2 with the shop reopening the following day.
‘‘It was very busy preparing to open, making sure the store was compliant,’’ she said.
Donations began coming in on Monday, and Collins said they came in at an overwhelming pace.
‘‘It’s been like a second Christmas.
‘‘But the volunteers are fantastic, and they totally jumped on board and are helping out anyway they can.’’
Collins said the level of ditched rubbish was unfortunately quite bad and was topped off by someone leaving their junk on top of the shop’s skip bin at the weekend.
‘‘But that’s just what happens. It’s part of the business.’’
New Plymouth’s St John Opportunity Shop has also reported record sales since reopening.
‘‘The first day back was a record-breaking weekday in three years,’’ manager Yvonne Mawson said.
There has been a steady influx of donated goods and volunteers have had to pick up extra shifts to cope with the load.
Mawson has been surprised at the quality of the items.
She said 90 per cent were of exceptional quality and were being quickly snapped up by eager shoppers.
The other 10 per cent were given in good spirit but were not saleable, she said.
Shoppers have been ‘‘really great’’ while in store, sticking to the physical distancing and handsanitising rules, she said.
‘‘Everything has just been mindblowingly positive.’’