Bargains and unique pieces post-lockdown? All back to local op shops

The 29-year-old has been involved in “opportunity” or charity shops in Australia and overseas for about 15 years.

He is Hobart City Mission’s retail operations manager and oversees nine op shops, including a new mega store in the city’s northern suburbs that opened late last year.

Charities have reported strong sales in their op shops since reopening after COVID-19 lockdowns.

“I think we’re up probably 50 per cent but that’s also due to the fact we’ve got our brand new mega store,” Mr Miller said.

Australian Red Cross shops around the country have experienced strong sales since reopening from COVID shutdowns.

Donations up, shoppers keen to reduce environmental impact

Another trend Ms Hedin has seen is an increase in shoppers interested in sustainability and reducing their impact on the planet.

With donations streaming in and shoppers keen to find a bargain, more volunteers have also been recruited.

Hobart City Mission recruited an extra 80 volunteers for its shops last year.

‘The family kicks in so quickly’

Sophia Bailey joined the team in December.

Op shops have seen a benefit of COVID lockdowns — an increase in donations.

“The family clicks in so quickly, the environment, everybody from so many different walks of life, ages, every background, and for some reason it just works.”

She said she enjoyed the “one-off” nature of the stock.

A few weeks ago Ms Bailey was working at the register when an item she had donated came through. It was a dress her mother, who had recently died, had loved.

“This young girl came up to buy it and I just got goose bumps and I said, ‘I will tell you, you are the perfect person to wear that dress’,” she said.

“It was one of mum’s favourites… it was really nice to be able to go, ‘I know where that’s gone and it’s gone to a really cool girl’.”

Jacqui Roth joined as a volunteer in November after moving to Tasmania from Queensland. For her, it was a way to meet people, but also to indulge her love of second-hand and vintage clothing.