Charity Super.Mkt is on track to raise over £1 million this year through its much in demand pop-up concept which will arrive at Hammerson’s Cabot Circus in Bristol city centre on Thursday 20 July.
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The arrival of Charity Super.Mkt underpins a wider Hammerson strategy to enliven and reinvigorate its assets by introducing new brands, concepts and market firsts which excite and engage new audiences.
The ‘department store for second-hand style’ has been a ‘runway’ success having raised over £627,000 alone at Hammerson’s retail and leisure destinations, Brent Cross (London) and The Oracle (Reading). This third store, at a Hammerson destination, demonstrates the appeal and quality of the city centre assets.
Launching in Bristol - UK’s Green City
Now, founders Wayne Hemingway and Maria Chenoweth have set their sights on Bristol, the UK’s third greenest city , a former European Green Capital and the UK’s first ‘cycling city’ for its latest showcase.
Unique to Cabot Circus will be a revolving charity line-up refresh, ensuring an exciting and eclectic mix of newly sourced clothes and accessories. There will also be local DJs playing every weekend, ‘Gift Card Voucher’ giveaways and a fun opening party with music and locally-sourced food for hungry shoppers.
for keen shoppers to have the first rummage of this curated collection of second-hand fashion. Customers can sign up for a free launch party ticket here: https://bit.ly/csmbristol
Affordable shopping amid cost of living crisis
The launch of Charity Super.Mkt comes as the Charity Retail Association says second-hand shopping has boomed in 2023, jumping 15 per cent between January and March compared with the same period in 2022. As consumers struggle with the cost of living, with the rate at which prices are rising for clothing and shoes hitting 6.5% in the year to April (ONS), pre-loved shopping is an affordable and fashionable alternative.
TRAID’s YouGov survey demonstrates this with 65% of us now wearing something second-hand, while 80% of second-hand purchases are made through charity shops. Platforms such as Depop and Vinted have also made second-hand shopping easier particularly amongst Gen Z and Millennials.
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Footfall and sales success
Charity Super.Mkt has changed public perception of charity shopping since it opened in January this year. Through the two pop-ups at Hammerson’s destinations Brent Cross and The Oracle:
● Over 65,000 items were sold
● 18.7 tonnes of clothing and shoes were saved from landfill
● 168 tonnes of Co2 were prevented from being emitted
Wayne Hemingway said: “Charity Super.Mkt surpassed all expectations at Brent Cross and in The Oracle Reading. Next stop is Cabot Circus , Bristol , which for many years has been a leader in the social values that underpin Charity Super.Mkt and where we know it's going to be a smash hit. We have gathered a revolving cohort of national, local and regional charities who have all been squirrelling away great second-hand pieces. We have also gathered some of the city's best DJ’s who are going to be spinning vinyl on weekends. This is widely recognised as the hottest retail concept in the UK right now and we urge everyone to visit us over the next 6 weeks.”
TRAID CEO and Bristol native, Maria Chenoweth, commented: “My career and ambition has always been to promote second-hand fashion as the most fun and impactful way to dress ourselves. The creation of Charity Super.Mkt has brought charity retailers into mainstream retail, gaining locations that would have otherwise been inaccessible Charity Super.Mkt gives charities the opportunity to raise more funds, and that means more nursing time in hospices, more support for animals, more research into cancer and in TRAID’s case, more support for the people who make our clothes. The success of our first pop-up at Brent Cross has shown overwhelming support for the concept and for charity retail, we’re excited to be taking Charity Super.Mkt to Bristol.”
Sarah Tinsley, Director of Marketing & Placemaking at Hammerson said: “The success of Charity Super.Mkt is testament to how we are being fearless with our approach to incubating new brands and introducing market firsts to enhance the experience for our customers and occupiers. This is an exciting new concept for Cabot Circus which underpins Hammerson’s ESG commitments including reducing the impact our assets and brand partners make on the environment.”
Lisa Jones, General Manager at Cabot Circus said, “Charity Super.Mkt is just the type of brand which Bristolians and our customers at Cabot Circus will love. This city has sustainability running through its heart, from the commitment to clean transport and renewable energy to our impressive recycling rate and vegan restaurants. We’re excited to be playing our part and hope as many visitors as possible not only shop in Charity Super.Mkt but also take a rummage through their own wardrobes to donate their pre-loved items.”
Contributing charities: Age UK, Bath Cats and Dogs, Brandon Trust, Great Western Air Ambulance, Havens Hospices, Marie Curie, Shelter, St Peter's Hospice, TRAID and Weston Hospice care. The new pop-up will be staffed partially by volunteers.
Customers are encouraged to donate a pre-loved item in-store.
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