Nonprofit thrift shops increase sales 30% after makeover

Salvation Army Thrift Store, H Street NE, Washington, DC. Flickr photo by Inked78.

According to the Minneapolis Business Journal article, "Goodwill stores get makeover," which states:

Goodwill is sprucing up its image by foregoing faded carpet and cramped, cluttered aisles in its retail stores. The St. Paul-based nonprofit has already seen a 30 percent jump in sales at stores that showcase its new prototype: tile floors, wide aisles, a coordinated color palette and bright lights that shine down from a high ceiling.

Such stores don't have to be a drag on emerging and transitional commercial districts--what is more funky and arts and culture oriented than a thrift shop, plus where are creative types going to get cheap raw materials plus wearables? Such shops can be an asset, ifmarketed and merchandised appropriately. There is a resale shop in Boston known for their exquisitely designed store windows. Goodwill in our region has an upscale division. But I think Salvation Army hasn't quite caught up to the modern age, at least in DC.

This thrift shop in Portland's Nob Hill Commercial District takes the time to attractively "dress" their store windows in a way that contributes to the walkable experience in the shopping district.

Index Keywords: retail