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Economy and snow make a wintry mess for thrift shops

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Comments (9)

Thursday, February 18, 2010

(Updated Friday, February 19 - 5:22 am)

By Mike Fuchs
Staff Writer

Shoppers are still hitting some thrift stores in droves, but donations are another matter.

During the fourth quarter of 2009, more than 71 percent of resale shops reported an increase in sales of about 35 percent compared with the same time in 2008, according to the National Association of Resale and Thrift Shops.

Goodwill had an average 11.6 percent increase in sales regarding all of its stores in 2009 compared to 2008.

But when you look at the amount of donations, a different story emerges.

“People still want to donate,” Goodwill spokeswoman Lauren Lawson said. “They’re not able to donate as much due to the economy.”

So, for instance, someone who might at one time have donated two bags of goods may now only donate one bag.

It’s been somewhat of a mixed bag for some thrift stores in the Triad.

Sales at the area’s 16 Goodwill stores in counties, including Guilford, have increased 4.5 percent in the past year, although donations have remained flat, spokeswoman Tammy Friedeck said.

Sales at the Salvation Army’s Family Store in Greensboro dropped 11 percent in 2009 compared with 2008, said Maj. Paul Egan of the Salvation Army of Greensboro.

That store and the new Salvation Army Select store in northern Greensboro, which opened in November, have had poorer sales in recent weeks, due in part to wintry weather that has kept many Triad residents indoors .

“It’s a double-edged sword,” Egan said. “People are not able to get out and shop and not able to donate as easily either.”

The biggest need? Household goods such as furniture. That’s because economic bad times creates a ripple effect. Fewer shoppers buying new furniture means fewer shoppers are donating their old stuff to places such as the Salvation Army.

“Once people buy themselves a new couch, we’re the benefactor of the previous couch,” Egan said.

The Salvation Army Select store is hoping to lure more shoppers with 20-percent discount coupons.

After you make a purchase, they will hand you the coupon you can use on a return visit.

Goodwill is also in need of household items, Friedeck said.

“We never say 'no, we don’t need clothes,’ ” she said. “We definitely need household goods.”

Contact Mike Fuchs at 373-3464 or michael.fuchs@news-record.com

Accompanying Photos

H. Scott Hoffmann (News & Record)

Photo Caption: UNCG interior architecture students Diana Stanisic and Michelle Bodon discuss arranging clothes on a mannequin inside the Salvation Army Select store in Greensboro in November.

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Bosco

February 18, 2010 - 10:35 am EST

Out of curiosity, I Spent some time on the National Association of Resale and Thrift Shops' web site. NARTS. Before making any additional cash contributions to any of these local groups I intend to find out if any of their staff is a member and what amount of my contribution goes to their expense to attend the "National Conference"

Mike Fuchs

February 18, 2010 - 11:10 am EST

I'm curious how much do you normally contribute each year, which stores locally, and if you had to cut back due to the economy? Are you only donating cash? What about goods (furniture)? Clothes? I'd like to interview you for the story.

Mike Fuchs

February 18, 2010 - 11:14 am EST

Here's my direct line - 336-373-3465. Looking forward to hearing from you.

truth

February 18, 2010 - 12:55 pm EST

Salvation Army on Lee Street is an disorganized dump. Try finding an article of clothing there. Everything is either in a pile or hung on racks in complete disorder. I find it hard to believe that the overpriced trash on the shelves is the best they have to offer. They started going downhill BEFORE the recession.

Goodwill is better but far from ideal. The practice of organizing clothes by color instead of size is just stupid. I don't want to look through 400 pairs of tan pants only to find 5 pairs that are my size.

Each one of these stores should pay a visit to Carolina Thrift. I don't know how they do it, but their merchandise is so much better than the other stores. They also organize clothing and other goods in a relevant manner. Pants are organized by waist size. Shirts by size. Short sleeves separate from long sleeves. It's nearly as good as shopping in a commercial store.

I like the Salvation Army charity and the Goodwill charity. I generally donate to them. However, I rarely see anything as nice as what I donate actually in their stores. What happens to it?

Bosco

February 18, 2010 - 1:54 pm EST

Maybe the fine folks at NARTS told them how to arrange cloths at their last National Conference in Vegas or wherever

Mike Fuchs

February 18, 2010 - 2:30 pm EST

336-373-3465. Promise I won't bite.

CherylP25

February 18, 2010 - 3:08 pm EST

It's my opinion that some people like to find something to complain about in the N&R comments section. They don't really donate or want to take action or have their actual identity revealed. They just want to complain about stuff - esp. when it comes to giving to charitable organizations.

gsoagt

February 18, 2010 - 4:30 pm EST

I changed my donating habits several years ago. My parents had passed away and my husband had lost weight. As a result, we had quite a few nice men's suits. We had them dry cleaned and pressed. When we took them to Goodwill, the worker took our suits that were still in the plastic from the cleaners and threw them into a bin. We asked to get them back and took them to the Urban Ministry where they respected the donation. I am hoping our gift helped someone get a much deserved job.

Cootee

February 18, 2010 - 7:41 pm EST

Donating goods to The Salvation Army helps fund vital rehabilitative programs and services that prevent homelessless, fight hunger, provide emergency financial assistance, maintain acclaimed youth services and more.

The Salvation Army helps all people in need every day, all year. Its been doing so more than a century here in Grensboro.

Not all so-called thrift stores are really nonprofit organizations. Some are for profit businesses, giving little to a charity, but using a name to pretend to be wholly (unholy) charitable.

If you want your donations to work locally, to help people here, ask before you donate to be sure you are really doing the most good for your family, neighbors and friends.

The need is great. Donate all you can in goods and money. That is the only way The Salvation Army can achieve its worthy mission, all dependent of the generosity of good people wanting to help others.