THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO OPENING A CHARITY SHOP (PART 2) – LAUNCH DAY

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Note: You can check out part 1 of our guide to opening a charity shop right here.


Although we specialise in providing efficient and reliable charity retail systems, we’re also here to provide assistance and support wherever you need it! Last month we kicked off a series on setting up a charity shop for the first time – hopefully by now you’ve got everything sorted and you’re ready for an incredible shop launch which will get the public aware of, and more importantly excited about, your new presence in their town.


So how do you take your launch to the next level, generating that buzz which will sustain your shop over the coming months and years? Here are some of our top tips:


Invite a (Local) Celebrity


Fashion Lady In Red Dress And City Lights


Okay, so you probably won’t get an Oscar winning movie star down to your opening party, but inviting somebody who is important to the community – be it the local mayor or somebody who has a big presence within your charity – to cut the ribbon and open the doors for the first time can help to get feet through the door on the first day.


Make a Splash in the Press


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If you’re opening a charity shop then you’re doing something which is of real value to the local community – so you need to make sure that they’re aware of it! Ahead of the big day itself, make sure that somebody is networking with local papers and news outlets to get some positive coverage: make sure that they are given all of the key details to print including a date and location so that readers know where to go!


Offer Treats and Goodies


Sugar Cookies - iStock_000023669491_Medium


Although ideally you want people to show up because they’re interested in your cause, it never hurts to offer an incentive… more specifically, the tried and tested incentive of coffee and cake. While people are munching on the goodies that you provide, this will also give you the opportunity to chat with them about the mission of your charity and the goals which they can help you reach.


Make Sure Everything is Ready


We know it seems obvious, but it’s so important that we wanted to reiterate it here – make sure that every last detail has been ironed out so that you can be sure you’ll look professional and be able to serve those first customers.


If you think that the training or technology that we offer here could help then we’d love to hear from you; contact us online or at 01204 706 000 for more details.