Fashion marketplace app Depop is launching a dedicated Depop Charity Seller Programme to help charity shops build successful online businesses on their marketplace. The new Charity Seller Programme will provide charities on Depop with tools, resources, exclusive offers and personalised support to effectively leverage the platform as an e-commerce channel.
This follows a period of significant growth for charity ecommerce. The volume of charity shop listings on Depop has increased by nearly 600% since the beginning of UK lockdown in March 2020. According to data from the Charity Retail Association (the industry organisation for charity shops), the average charity shop in the UK lost over £33,000 in income when high streets closed during the third lockdown.
Some of the most successful charity sellers on Depop include:
- British Heart Foundation – @thebhf
Offering a trend-led collection of secondhand fashion ranging from accessories to retro sportswear and vintage wedding dresses, to fund research into heart and circulatory diseases
- Oxfam Festival Shop – @oxfamfestivalshop
Selling vintage and secondhand festival fashion to raise money for Oxfam’s global poverty-fighting work
- Demelza Hospice – @demelzahospice
Specialising in secondhand bargains, from designer handbags to classic clothing. Funds raised provide specialist care and support for children with serious or terminal conditions, and their families, across Kent, East Sussex and South East London
- Traid – @traid
Selling streetwear, vintage and labels, to fund work tackling the negative impacts of making, consuming and wasting clothes. Global shipping.
“The pandemic prompted many charities to pivot towards online selling, and we think there’s an amazing opportunity to build on this as the popularity of secondhand fashion continues to grow. Using platforms like Depop, charities can reach a much wider audience with a more extensive offering than they can on their shop floors. 73% of unwanted clothing is still incinerated or landfilled – together with the charity sector, we’re advocating for a wider audience to buy and sell secondhand as an undeniably better option for the planet and its people.
We’re passionate about helping our sellers succeed, and this programme is aimed at encouraging charities to thrive online by keeping them ahead of the latest trends, and sharing insights on digital merchandising.”
– Rachel Swidenbank, VP of Sellers at Depop
Depop Charity Seller Programme support
Participants in the new Depop Charity Seller Programme will be able to access support in the form of:
- Tips on trending categories and in-demand items
Regular updates on the most popular brands, styles, and items on Depop and among the Gen Z audience, so you know what buyers are looking for
- Personalised support
Access to an online community of listings experts and other charity sellers, who can help support your shop as it grows – through tips, advice and Q&A
- Exclusive offers and discounts
Special opportunities for charity sellers to complete listing challenges and earn incentives or free fee periods
- Promotion in the Depop app
The opportunity to participate in regular ‘drops’ from charity sellers, promoted to Depop users
- Onboarding
Tutorials and guides to introduce best practices for success
Charities looking to register a new Depop shop can email [email protected] to connect with a member of the team.
