I’ve been thinking.
In last week’s Anniversary Celebration, we had dozens of resale and consignment shopkeepers
offer up ideas to hundreds of their peers. They help others because sharing not only helps their individual shops, but because they know that
the better each and every shop is, the more the public will turn to and enjoy our world of resale.
But there are few not-for-profit (NFP) stores who participate in this give-and-take. Why is that? Are these people not as passionate about the success of their stores? I’m sure they are. Are they busier than their for-profit cousins? We all have too much to do.
Or are NFPs struggling so mightily to improve that they forget that they can benefit from reaching out, taking part in, and participating in the larger resale industry around them?
Is it my fault?
Do my posts here on the blog, the free articles and resources and tips on TGtbT.com and the consumer-oriented articles on HowToConsign.com, make NFPs feel like there’s no place for them at the resale table?
If so, let’s right that wrong. Starting now. Herein, some tips and a free download specifically for those who operate a charitable NFP thrift store. (Although, of course, you for-profits are welcome to glean these ideas for things you can adapt to your business!)
Putting out the call for volunteers
Signage in your store, a line on your cash register receipts, and a Volunteer Coordinator who interacts with store patrons as much as possible can reap a crop of enthusiastic volunteers.
Try asking online. (example: here’s what Kate could be doing) To post a listing, you will sign your NFP up here.
Gathering good ideas
Assign a volunteer, perhaps a home-bound supporter, to troll the ‘Net for ideas and articles that will polish your business. This person can forward the links to your store manager or Executive Director via email, or the ideas can be printed out for reference.
Share with other resale shops
Too Good to be Threw has a free PDF written especially for NFPs with many ideas about working with your neighboring for-profit consignment and resale shops. How NFPs Can Profit by Reaching Out to Resale Peers is in our Free Articles Archive at TGtbT.com, The Premier Site for Resale Professionals
Share with other NFPs
It’s easy: just send a link to this article to your peers in your town, in other market areas and in other organizations. Remember: the better each store is, the better the entire industry!
Auntie Kate The Resale Expert 
[…] Are not-for-profit thrift shops reaching out to their industry peers? […]
Hi Katie:
I am a newer member of NARTS and attended the conference in Palm Beach. I work for a non-profit social service agency and will be opening our first resale and consignment boutique in April 2011. I just stumbled across this post and would like to add my perspective and hope it’s not too late.
In your blog and the atmosphere of the NARTS conference, NFP are the 2nd and 3rd cousins of the FPs. I understand the definition of a “thrift” store is one run by a charitable organization but for some reason there is a stigma that thrift stores are the more “junkie” stores. Many of the NFPs are upscale boutiques just like the FP boutiques. So my question is how do we change this stigma?
As an upcoming shop soon to be opening, I have spent the last year reaching out to many of my peers, both FP and NFP, attended the conference and writing a business plan. Some peers responded more openly than others and I too found there is definitely a disconnect between the two. I learned so much from both branches of the family tree and hope this tree continues to bloom.
Lisa Maurer
St. Louis, MO
Hi Lisa, First of all, best wishes on your upcoming store!
I am not quite sure what made you observe “In your blog and the atmosphere of the NARTS conference, NFP are the 2nd and 3rd cousins of the FPs.”… would you explain?
I cannot, of course, speak to an atmosphere at a meeting we attended, but I am shocked that you feel my blog, not to mention my web sites http://TGtbT.com and http://HowToConsign.com, imply that NFP shops are not as important to consignors, donors, customers, staff, owners, community (if that’s what you actually mean by your “2nd and 3rd cousins”) as FPs are. I would love to hear if that’s indeed what you mean, and how you have gathered this impression.
I both volunteer (for the past decade) in and consult with numerous NFPs, both donation-only and consignment/donation hybrids, and while I know first-hand that every single shop, NFP or FP, has its own unique challenges, nowhere will you find that I have assigned any less value to the NFP shops than to the FP shops.
I look forward to hearing how you feel that TGtbT.com has insinuated that NFP shops are not first-order siblings with FPs.
Many thanks for your comments, and again, I wish your new shop all the best!
[…] discussed how NFP stores can expand their presence in the resale industry recently, because NFPs were saying they didn’t get enough charity-specific attention from […]
Kate:
I have appreciated your articles and the many books I have purchased. As someone coming from the Real estate industry into the NFP life of a store manager these have been a real boost for me. Your link to your free article mentioned in this post is broken, would love to learn more. I have just started swing shops and love them!. Too early to know what impact they have on the bottom line, but tons of comments – all positive.
Beth
Thanks Beth, both for your comments and for telling my about the broken link.
Aren’t swing shops great? The effect on your bottom line can be hard to calculate in the financials though. The 2 big ways swing shops boost business? They improve the public perception of your shop as a way to find flair and fashion, not just “cheap stuff”… and they also INVOLVE the shopper, which leads to longer browsing time, which leads to them finding more treasures… and buying more. Have you seen our TGtbT page on swing shops at http://tgtbt.com/swingshop.htm ?
Thanks Kate! No, we haven’t renamed ourselves, we will always be the National Association of Resale and Thrift Shops but we like to refer to ourselves as “Resale Professionals” which is all inclusive and does not divide us into categories. We are all professionals.
Incidentally, Jan 1 will begin my 40th year as owner of a shop.
I will always be grateful to you for teaching me some important things such as: the almighty Tag Fee, always button all of the buttons on a display, handwrite the markdown prices and many more ideas that originated from your fertile mind!
You rock!!
As always, you’re the leader! Great job, Kate, of reaching out expressly to the NFP’s. They serve such a vital role in our communities and in our National Association of Resale Professionals.
Your advice is always first class.
Patti, I am honored that you’ve dropped by!
Folks, let me introduce to Patti. She is a tireless advocate for all forms of resale. She is an inspired speaker and is often the Keynote Speaker at NARTS Conferences. She”ll make you laugh, make you cry, make you learn. Never miss a meeting where she’s speaking, and always try to sit next to her t meals.
I had the pleasure of working with Patti on the Board of Directors for our trade association for many years.
And she’s been in the business ALMOST as long as me 😉 Click on her name, above, to visit her web site.
Question, Patti: Has NARTS renamed itself? Are we now NARP? Couldn’t we rename ourselves to something pretty, Like Ariel or Melanie?
Thank you Becky for your compliments. Over the years, I have consulted with NFPs across the country, both large and small. These thrift operations have always included some paid staff. It is these people, and their overseeing boards of directors, that I am concerned about.
Volunteers (of which I am one) are great, and thrifts simply could not operate without them. But it is the leadership of the stores who must, well, take leadership. These are the workers I implore to become full participants in the industry, to reach beyond their walls and to expand the visibility of the resale industry as a whole.
Hello Kate. Great post with good points. I think the store (mostly volunteer) staffing is one of the reasons that NFPs don’t enter the resale community discussions more. I recently consulted to two shops who are assigning categories to volunteers, including store displays. Having an assignment builds ownership in the store process, which should lead to growth, like when you empower your employees. I have recommended your articles to numerous NFP stores. Keep up the good work!
Regards,
Becky Tyre, Retail Details blog
http://www.swirlmarketing.com
Contributor, Gift Shop Magazine
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