Mercy Hospice has launched an online op-shop. Images supplied.
Perfectly timed for summer, Mercy Hospice has launched an online op-shop offering quality second hand clothing. The website mercyhospiceshop.co.nz offers customers unique fashion finds and on trend pieces they’ve come to expect from Mercy Hospice’s high quality in-store vintage clothing range.
Mercy Hospice has been operating second hand stores in Auckland for 16 years, gaining a loyal following of shoppers with an eye for recycled finds. The trend towards upcycling and sustainable fashion has contributed to sales revenue for the antique and second-hand trade in general, increasing to $55.5 million in the three months to September 2020, an increase of nearly 30 per cent on the same quarter in 2018, according to Statistics New Zealand.
Dene Coleman, Chief Executive Mercy Hospice says the last three months of lockdown have seen a 47% overall reduction in Mercy Hospice’s fundraising and retail income compared with this time in a non-pandemic impacted year.
“While COVID’s restrictions temporarily halted retail spending, this won’t stop us from delivering first class hospice care. We’ve launched this website to give our savvy sustainable shoppers access to our extensive in-store collections whenever and wherever suits them,” says Dene Coleman. “Mercy Hospice’s nine second-hand shops comprise 23% of our annual income, and we have a wonderful community of regular donors who bring us high quality household goods and clothing which we turn into first-class care.”
The online shop is designed for customers to easily browse collections, with garments organised by colour, style, size and even a Made in New Zealand tab.
“Globally, ‘fast fashion’ is responsible for 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions, so by enabling customers to access high-quality second-hand styles in the Mercy Hospice online shop we’re doing our bit to help reduce demand on the planet’s resources,” adds Dene Coleman.
The Mercy Hospice Online Shop is updated with new items and curated collections weekly.