Charity shop marketplace Thriftify launches in UK

Thriftify, the only dedicated online marketplace connecting charity shops with consumers, has announced its UK-wide launch, having already launched its service in Ireland.

Thriftify enables consumers to browse and buy quality second-hand products online from charity shops, including fashion, books, gifts and accessories. Via the site, consumers are not only shopping sustainability but also supporting good causes and contributing to the circular economy.

In 2020, consumers using Thriftify saved an estimated 36,700kg of C02 from the atmosphere and 11.9 million litres of water, by buying used clothes and books instead of new, with the company currently partnering with 95% of charity retailers in Ireland.

For charity retailers, Thriftify provides an online platform from which they can sell donated products at the best prices, helping them reach a wider audience and increase revenues. According to the company, some of the biggest problems facing charity shops today is knowing how much products are really worth and reaching the right consumers for these items.

Thriftify provides a solution which helps charity retailers to value, showcase and sell goods online. This includes the functionality to:

• Scan a barcode or manually input information to obtain an accurate value.
• Use advanced tools to ensure products can reach millions of customers worldwide.
• Easily ship products to customers using sustainable, fully compostable packaging.

Thriftify is also integrated into eBay, Google Shopping, Facebook Marketplace and Amazon - giving charity shops access to millions of shoppers across the world, with one simple and easy to use account. The company is also currently building integrations into more of the leading ecommerce websites, including Depop and Poshmark.

Thriftify Founder, Rónán Ó Dálaigh, said: “Thriftify is changing the way people shop by empowering them to make a sustainable choice and contribute to the circular economy. Fashion is the second most polluting industry after oil but thankfully, consumers are becoming aware of the damaging effects of ‘fast fashion’ on our planet and are looking for alternatives. Instead of buying new, we can lower our impact significantly by opting for used items, making the most of products already out there and discouraging further unnecessary manufacturing.

“Therefore, by shopping via Thriftify, consumers are not only purchasing unique goods at great prices, they’re also making a statement about the kind of world they want to live in. By partnering with us, charity shops are increasing profits by 30% on average and in many cases, have developed completely new income streams, helping them to continue and develop the great work they do around the globe.”