In order to help the less fortunate in countries around the world, Malls around the United States are trying out a new "Reverse Goodwill" system. The system works by taking brand new clothes and shipping them to people around the world who could otherwise not afford them. After they are appropriately weathered, they are returned to mall stores and sold to shoppers.
Director of Sales at American Eagle, JoAnn Saunders, said, "It really is a great program. We ship jeans to Africa for 6 months. After that time period, they are shipped back to us full of holes, fraying and wear, and we sell them in our stores for approximately $40 a pair. Win, win!"
Marketing Executive at The Buckle, Matt Moster, echoed a similar sentiment, "We're helping people and our shoes come back worn and our jackets nice and tattered and ready to be actually sold."
The Buckle customers agree. Chaz Steiner said, "Dude, buying a bad-ass, frayed out Affliction shirt or some destroyed Lucky jeans is dope. But knowing you helped somebody, that's hella dope."
Some local boutiques and specialty shoppes are following the mall store's lead and enacting a similar, and more long-term, program. Vintage-Clothes-a-Rama sends clothes over to poor teenagers in struggling countries and lets them keep the clothing for 8 years and then they are sent back to the store when they become hip and ironic.
Chaz Steiner.
ReplyDeleteSpot-on.