Bargain-hunters are in for a new year treat thanks to a cost-saving initiative being trialled by East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH).
The charity is running its ‘Fill For a Fiver’ campaign in nine stores from next Monday (20th January).
For three weeks, shoppers will be able to take their pick from a large, specially-selected range of ‘perfectly imperfect’ goods – mainly clothes and shoes – and fill a bag for £5.
The idea is being tested to help combat the collapse of the recycling export market, which has drastically reduced a vital income stream.
“We’re losing £5,000 every week, with our recycling income under severe threat,” said Sarah Throssell, EACH’s Head of Central Retail Operations.
“We need to try new ideas and have already tested a few initiatives, like selling mystery bags of items and having imperfect rails.
“Now we’ve decided to do something positive, proactive and on a bigger scale at the start of the year.
“Not only will this help us close the weekly gap on recycling income, it will appeal to price-conscious customers who are also feeling the pinch.”
The nine EACH shops taking part include those in Plumstead Road, Norwich, as well as Fakenham, Swaffham and Wymondham.
Shoppers will also be able to fill a bag in Meredith Road, Ipswich, as well as Hadleigh, Clacton, March and Royston.
It’s easy to get involved and, after buying one of charity’s £1 Bags for Life, designed by artist and ambassador Lucy Loveheart, customers can then fill up for £5. The initiative begins next Monday (20th January).
Overall, EACH has 52 shops across Cambridgeshire, Essex, Norfolk and Suffolk.
It relies on voluntary donations for the majority of its income and this year alone needs to raise £7.8m in retail income, as well as another £6.7m from donations and fundraising activities. EACH only receives 15% of its income from the government, county councils and the NHS.