Thrift Store Impact to Local Community, Essay Example

In order to receive increased support from local community, the management of SMCA needs to do two things: create awareness of the impact customers can make in lives of students who need funding of school, and to reduce prices in order to attract more customers and supporters.

By creating awareness of the store’s aims, missions, and vision, donations can be increased significantly (Structured Employment Economic Development Corporation, 2002). This will, itself make the store become more appealing to shoppers in the area. However, many of the customers are also comparing different used merchandise stores, based on quality of service, layout, and price of the items. Having enough merchandise is not enough; it is important that the management listens to feedback from customers, makes the layout of the store more shopper-friendly.

Further, involving more young people, current or past students and school volunteers in running the shop can create a positive image within the community. Past students can talk to customers about how the money is used, how it helps current students from low income families get an education.

Engaging college staff, students, and parents in redesigning the facilities in the store, creating a plan for changing the layout, and carrying out the project will create greater awareness, resulting in free word-of-mouth advertisement. Higher community engagement will result in more customers, and if the management is able to constantly monitor prices, seek feedback on customers’ shopping experience, a two-way communication can be utilized to improve the image of the store (Wodon & Wodon, 2013).

It is also recommended that newly recruited volunteers design posters or signs to be displayed in the store or the shop front to inform potential customers about the mission the store serves.

References

Structured Employment Economic Development Corporation (2002) When good work makes good sense: social purpose business case studies. Retrieved from http://www.proveandimprove.org/documents/good_work.pdf

Wodon, D. & Wodon, N. (2013) Analyzing the determinants of individual sales at nonprofit thrift stores: a case study for Martha’s Outfitters in Washington, DC Washington International School, Washington, DC, June 1, 2013 Retrieved from http://www.amstat.org/education/posterprojects/projects/2013/SecondPlace7-9.pdf