The Salvation Army Thrift Store teams are rearranging store layouts and spacing out products, striving to make shelves look full. (CNW Group/The Salvation Army Thrift Store – National Recycling Operations)
The Salvation Army is worried about the trend at its Thrift Stores.
Donations are down, but usage is up.
Managing Director of National Recycling Operations, Ted Troughton, says it is putting a strain on their stores.
“It’s not unusual to see a decline in donations at different times of the year, but usually through the spring, summer, you see that influx of donations. People are cleaning out, sorting things, and getting things done. What we’re really seeing, too, is a much more increased amount of people coming into our stores that we haven’t seen before,” says Troughton.
Troughton believes the high cost of living is leading to more people shopping at their Thrift Stores.
Sales are up 10-15% over last year.
“People are trying to make their dollar go further, and they’re coming to a thrift store and saying, wow, there’s some great stuff here. Buying more, driving the more need for donations.”
That has also led to some operating challenges for the stores.
Staff have been forced to be creative and modify the store layouts to accommodate the scarcity of products and prevent empty shelves.
“We try to stay open to service everybody’s needs, but we have to maneuver. If we have more clothes or more shoes, then we’re going to put out more clothes and more shoes. People are really looking in a lot of ways for household items, for small appliances, for home decor items. And those are where we’re seeing some of the shortages.”
The Salvation Army does have some corporate supporters that supply stock, but many of their product come from donations from the general public.
Troughton says if each Canadian household donated two bags or boxes of items they no longer need or want, it would help replenish store shelves and strengthen their ability to serve those who depend on them the most.
The stores are a key source of revenue for the Salvation Army’s other programs and services.
To donate or find your nearest Salvation Army Thrift Store, please visit www.thriftstore.ca/locations.
