# Depop app launches programme to support charity sellers

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2021/10/01/depop-app-launches-programme-to-support-charity-sellers/
- Published: 2021-10-01T09:24:00+01:00
- Author: Melanie May

**Fashion marketplace app Depop is launching a dedicated programme to help charity
shops build successful online businesses on its marketplace.**

The new _Charity Seller Programme _will provide charities on Depop with tools, resources,
exclusive offers and personalised support to help them leverage the platform as 
an e-commerce channel.

Participants in the programme will be able to access support in the form of: 

## Advertisement

 * Regular updates on the most popular brands, styles, and items on Depop and among
   the Gen Z audience

 * Access to an online community of listings experts and other charity sellers for
   tips, advice and Q&A

 * Special opportunities for charity sellers to complete listing challenges and 
   earn incentives or free fee periods

 * The opportunity to participate in regular ‘drops’ from charity sellers, promoted
   to Depop users

 * Tutorials and guides to introduce best practices for success

Charities increasingly turned to online retail during the pandemic with shops forced
to close during lockdowns. Depop has seen the volume of charity shop listings on
it increase by nearly 600% since March 2020 with sellers on the app including [British Heart Foundation](https://www.depop.com/thebhf/),
[Demelza Hospice](https://www.depop.com/demelzahospice/), Oxfam Festival Shop, and
TRAID.

Rachel Swidenbank, VP of Sellers at Depop, commented:

> “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.”

Charities looking to register a new Depop shop can email ch*******@***op.com.

BHF started off with a trial, which [it announced it was expanding](https://fundraising.co.uk/2020/09/29/bhf-charity-shops-team-up-with-depop/)
in September last year after making almost £10,000 through the app. It has now raised
£28,000 with its Depop shop.

Allison Swaine-Hughes, Retail Director at the British Heart Foundation commented:

> “We have been delighted by the response to our Depop account and feel like we 
> have been truly embraced by its online community. Since launching, we have become
> one of the top sellers on the site, with a five-star rating and now have 14,000
> followers, who have helped raise £28,000 for the charity’s vital research into
> heart and circulatory diseases.
>  
> “As the UK’s largest charity retailer, we are always seeking to expand our online
> operations and explore different avenues for raising funds for the charity’s important
> work. The Depop team were a fantastic support to us while we were setting up this
> initiative and continue to be so. It has been the ideal platform for us to sell
> trend-led donated items and attract a new audience of fashion focused shoppers,
> who are passionate about sustainability.”

Speaking on TRAID’s experience, Enedina Columbano, its Commercial Director said:

> “Keeping clothes in use for longer is the core of TRAID’s work – an action we 
> can all take to significantly reduce our waste, water and carbon footprint. Using
> Depop as an online selling platform is a brilliant complement to our bricks and
> mortar charity shops, extending our customer base both in the UK and globally,
> and providing more people than ever with access to high quality, environmentally
> friendly, second-hand fashion.”

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