26 June, 2012
20 June, 2012
Why second-hand clothes shops are booming
Where most high street shops are fading, charity and vintage
shops are thriving. Whilst it is miserable that we are losing some of
our favourite high street stores because of the recession, it is giving
charity shops a boost.
Charity shops used to be knitwear, bric-a-brac and hand-me-down clothes maintained by elderly women. However the abandoned shops are now in full swing and sweeping profits due to the shops closing down frequently on the high street. There has also been a return of vintage clothing, and where else better to pick up a bargain and get yourself a fashionable item that isn’t worn by the majority of shoppers?
According to Charity Retail Association, there are 7,700 charity shops in England which raise around £200 million per year. They get tax concessions because all the profits from a charity shop go to fund the work of the charity, which provides public benefit. They serve a charitable purpose so they benefit from exemption from corporation tax on profits. They receive 80% mandatory non-domestic relief which is funded by the central government, with a further 20% relief available at the discretion of local authorities.
Amanda Silkstone, 40 from Chesterfield works as a sales assistant at Age Concern in Chesterfield. She said that Age Concern hasn’t increased in business because of high street stores closing because “we can’t compete with Primark.” She thinks that the economy will pick back up again and that it’s just going through a slump.
High street music and DVD stores have suffered the most, as people can now get the same products online for a cheaper price; GAME and HMV have been affected by the recession. Fashion retailers such as; La Senza, Firetrap, Azendi, Pumpkin Patch, Peacocks, Barratts and T J Hughes are just a few of the popular chains that have either gone into administration or have closed due to the recession.
Charity shops have now caught up on ‘visual merchandising’, they now have shops on eBay and stock trendy up to date fashionable items that appeal to the younger generation. It’s not just elderly women hunting for collectables in charity shops; it’s also youths on the search for one-off individual items that the high street doesn’t offer. It’s no longer embarrassing to shop in those kinds of shops, quite the opposite in fact.
Au revoir high street stores, charity shops have made a comeback. Boutiques, independent stores and good old-fashioned bargain hunting is back.
Revevant links
Find your nearest charity shop – Charity Retail Association charity shop finder
Age Concern – About the charity
Search eBay for charity items – eBay charity shops
Charity shops used to be knitwear, bric-a-brac and hand-me-down clothes maintained by elderly women. However the abandoned shops are now in full swing and sweeping profits due to the shops closing down frequently on the high street. There has also been a return of vintage clothing, and where else better to pick up a bargain and get yourself a fashionable item that isn’t worn by the majority of shoppers?
According to Charity Retail Association, there are 7,700 charity shops in England which raise around £200 million per year. They get tax concessions because all the profits from a charity shop go to fund the work of the charity, which provides public benefit. They serve a charitable purpose so they benefit from exemption from corporation tax on profits. They receive 80% mandatory non-domestic relief which is funded by the central government, with a further 20% relief available at the discretion of local authorities.
Amanda Silkstone, 40 from Chesterfield works as a sales assistant at Age Concern in Chesterfield. She said that Age Concern hasn’t increased in business because of high street stores closing because “we can’t compete with Primark.” She thinks that the economy will pick back up again and that it’s just going through a slump.
High street music and DVD stores have suffered the most, as people can now get the same products online for a cheaper price; GAME and HMV have been affected by the recession. Fashion retailers such as; La Senza, Firetrap, Azendi, Pumpkin Patch, Peacocks, Barratts and T J Hughes are just a few of the popular chains that have either gone into administration or have closed due to the recession.
Charity shops have now caught up on ‘visual merchandising’, they now have shops on eBay and stock trendy up to date fashionable items that appeal to the younger generation. It’s not just elderly women hunting for collectables in charity shops; it’s also youths on the search for one-off individual items that the high street doesn’t offer. It’s no longer embarrassing to shop in those kinds of shops, quite the opposite in fact.
Au revoir high street stores, charity shops have made a comeback. Boutiques, independent stores and good old-fashioned bargain hunting is back.
Revevant links
Find your nearest charity shop – Charity Retail Association charity shop finder
Age Concern – About the charity
Search eBay for charity items – eBay charity shops
Jewellery and make-up storage
Hello!
I have a mild form of OCD when it comes to organisation,
I’m not the tidiest of people but when it comes to my prise possessions, (make-up
and jewellery) I have to have everything in order and neatly presented.
I have tried many storage devices that work, but aren’t exactly
pretty, they’ve mainly been ugly boxes or a jewellery holder in the shape of a
human body, I found this big and bulky and my jewellery never actually stayed
on the holder.
I stumbled across this heart shaped glass dish from a
small boutique in Chesterfield called Moo Moo. It mainly sells lots of vintage home
ware and modern silver jewellery. I initially bought it because I’ve never seen
a design like it, then I thought it would make a contemporary lipstick and lip
gloss holder! I can’t remember how much it cost because they sell it in about
five different sizes; it was around the £20 something price range.
I bought this vintage looking jewellery hook from Next
for only £12, I think it looks stunning against a plain background and adds
that extra glamour and decoration to the room. I can display my favourite
necklaces and bracelets for everyone to see!
Love Jess x
08 June, 2012
A-Z of now
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Need a summer wardrobe? That doesn’t mean you have to spend a fortune wearing the same generic clothes as everyone else. Stand out and be a little different. Change you shopping habits, go to a shop you’d never usually enter, spend less, try a different colour or style, look and feel different.
Bronzer at the ready
We all like a bit of a tan and let’s face it, it makes us feel better! But nobody likes an orange, biscuit smelling oompa lumpa. I recommend St Tropez skin illuminator for a soft glow, switch your foundation for tinted moisturiser and do NOT hit the sunbeds!
Camera’s at the ready
Record your memories in a visual diary format. You can treasure them forever and photography is always a fun hobby.
Dig out all your junk
You always feel better after clearing out all your unwanted ornaments, clothes, jewellery etc, you will feel more organised and you may even stumble across those sunglasses you lost last year.
Eat healthily
Easier said than done. And I am no expert in this particular field! However, be creative and cook something new and healthy, the ‘look good, feel good’ factor is a proven fact.
Facials
Treat yourself to some relaxing you-time. You were going to waste the money on a t-shirt anyway and your skin will look fab afterwards.
Go and try something new
Ever wondered what biking, painting or even starting your
own personal blog would be like? There has to be something that you’ve always
wanted to try, so what better time to start than now?
Havaianas
A flash of a bright coloured pair of Havaianas might
brighten up your day, and they’re the comfiest flip flops you’ll ever find.
Invest
in some champagne
Whatever the celebration, if you’ve just finished a
degree, got a new job, a new house, a baby, there doesn’t have to be an excuse
to hold a good party with great friends.
Joke
Lighten up and don’t take life too seriously.
Kurt
Geiger
A girl can’t have too many shoes, and this is the main
shop to make your purchase. Plus sale time is coming up!
Lighten
up
The winter blues have long passed, put a smile on your
face and think positive.
Make
up
Reconnect with old friends, have a catch up and enjoy
some reconnection with some old contacts.
New
you
Change your hair colour, alter your wardrobe or do
something that gives you a thrill.
Opi
Opi nail varnishes have an extensive range of colours;
they are guaranteed to have a colour that will suit your mood or occasion.
Party
Party until your feet can no longer take anymore of you
stilettos, drink until you can no longer stand and dance like no one’s
watching.
Quotes
Find inspirational quotes to give you energy, positivity
and encouragement to fulfil your dreams.
Ray
Bans
It is summer anyway, and you can’t beat some classic Ray
Ban sunglasses.
Secret
escapes
Take a mini trip away to somewhere quiet and enjoy a
break away.
Teams
Involve yourself in some team activity. Maybe a sport, or
even get yourself more involved in team work at work, you’ll seek the rewards.
UK
Top 40
Update your iPod with new music from the charts, the
current top 3:
1. Rudimental
– Feel the love
2. Fun-
We are young
3. Loreen
– Euphoria
Vintage
Never tried vintage? Don’t diss until you try! A vintage
handbag or bangle might be just what you need to spice up your outfit and make
it more individual.
Watch
a movie
Watch a girly film. Included with a fluffy dressing gown,
sweets, a bottle of wine and some snuggles.
Xbox?
I couldn’t think of anything exciting to put for ‘X’. However
hiding your boyfriends Xbox is bound to put a smile on your face anyway ;)
YouTube
Visit YouTube for make-up tutorials, fashion advice or
even dance routines to your favourite song.
Zzzz
Catch up on sleep, Sleeping Beauty always looked flawless
after more than 10 hours sleep. You’ll look and feel great.
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