So it’s been almost a month since our last post, time to catch up.
Business has been brisk. Donations are of a particularly high quality at the moment, which I think is reflected in our recent sales figures. Long may it continue.
Lots on the horizon. Freshers week and the start of the new Uni term are first. This is the period when we really push our academic stock. We also try to get into the miasmic head space of the fresher. It’s a full agenda in there! You’re competing with burger-eating competitions, non-stop promotions of every kind, clubs and society touts, endless bar and restaurant offers etc etc. A lot of new students have heard of Oxfam, but we want to draw attention to what’s right on their doorstep here in Glasgow and get these young, potential customers, volunteers and supporters involved in as ways as possible.
Next is the run-in to Christmas. To most people, it seems like a symptom of insanity to be mentioning this in August, but that’s retail and charity-retail for you. We have to be competitive to get the funds we need and the small percentage of sales you get from early merchandising is valuable. And it allows people a chance to compare and (hopefully) to choose our cards, wrapping paper and diaries over other high street offers. Also, Unwrapped will put on its festive face around October, so keep an eye out for the new range.
We have a selection of excellent handmade bags for sale at the moment. They’ve been made by our volunteers and so far have sold really well (a ‘geisha’ bag made by the manager John Connolly, is also ready for sale). Though we’ve moved them from our promotional shelves the offer is still running and there are ideas aplenty for upcoming designs. They’re one-offs folks, so you should (sorry) bag one while you can (that’s appalling, but I’m sticking by it).
Lastly, the DEC Pakistan flood appeal is receiving our spotlight at the moment. The public have been extremely generous over the last couple of weeks so here’s hoping the appeal target is reached. Out of the spotlight does not necessarily mean sorted though, and the food crisis continues in West Africa. You can donate to both appeals on the Oxfam site (just follow the links at the head of the main page here).
That’s it for now. I’m off on holybags so see you all here in September.
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