For those who have never shopped second hand before, you're in for a treat!
How did your business start?
Skåne Stadsmission is celebrating its 110th anniversary this year, so the organisation has been around for a long time. Our first second-hand shop opened in 1995.
As the amount of donations received increased over the years, we had a greater surplus of products not used in our social activities. This led us to open more second-hand shops. Today we have 4 here in Malmö, and it's all because of the generosity of our donors!
What is your vision for the shop?
The vision of the stores is, among other things, to create greater awareness of what Skåne Stadsmissionen does to help people who are vulnerable in various ways, such as homelessness or poverty. And that customers actively choose to shop with us to support our work.
My vision is also that we will get more people to make sustainable and conscious consumption choices by offering inspiring store environments with affordable products. With us, customers can shop with a clear conscience as every purchase makes a difference to the environment and other people who need help and support here in Skåne.
How do you work with sustainability in practice?
Sustainability permeates all our work, not only through our stores helping more people to make sustainable consumption choices. The goods we sell are gifts received in our stores or at our gift collection centre here in Malmö. The transport distance for when the goods then end up in stores is therefore not very long. Our goods are not transported from other countries, for example. This is an important aspect to consider from a sustainability perspective. Our customers can shop with us and then donate the goods back when it is time to replace them. This means that together we help to reuse what is already here in Malmö and Skåne.
Skåne Stadsmissionen also runs its sustainable brand Remake, which produces new garments from broken textiles that cannot be used in our social activities or sold in our stores. In this way, we can reduce waste even more but also inspire our customers to reuse. Remake's products are sold in our shop at Triangeln.
How do you select the range?
Our range is based entirely on donations received. In the first instance, products are prioritised for our social activities based on need. The surplus is then distributed in our 4 stores, which have different ranges and store concepts.
In our store at Triangeln, we offer a mix of trendy garments, retro and vintage, but also a wide range of basic clothing. Customers will also find gadgets and some smaller furniture.
What do you think distinguishes second hand from new fashion?
I find second hand more permissive. You can mix and match trends and garments from different times and styles. You can simply create your own second-hand style. It's more creative in that way, unlike newly produced fashion where there is a clear framework for what you as a customer should relate to. Which doesn't feel nearly as exciting and creative.
What inspires you in your work?
What inspires me most in my work is to contribute to helping and supporting even more people who live in vulnerability and marginalisation through our store operations. The proceeds from our second-hand shops are used to finance our social activities.
What do you hope customers feel when they leave the shop?
I hope that customers feel that their purchases make a difference, that their purchases have helped a fellow human being and that they have contributed to a more circular society. And, of course, that they are happy with their second-hand finds!
If someone has never shopped second-hand, what would you say to them?
For those who have never shopped second hand before, you're in for a treat! There are so many fun things to find at really good prices. It's never too late to start shopping in a sustainable way. There is something for everyone no matter what you are looking for.
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