Oxfam has today launched the UK's first online charity shop, with the aim of generating some £2 million a year to help fund its fight against poverty.
Some 50,000 items will initially be on sale at the charity's internet store, including more than 100 new fair trade goods. Fair trade jewellery, chocolate and coffee will be among the goods on offer, along with the charity's alternative gift range, Oxfam Unwrapped.
Donated items such as clothes, books, music will also be on sale, as well as collector's items such as stamps and coins.
Oxfam says that it is hopes the new internet charity store will tap into the growing popularity of internet shopping, with online sales expected to make up at least 17 per cent of the UK's retail market by the end of the year.
The charity says that it has already demonstrated that there is money to be made from selling donated items online, with the aid organisation having raised £300,000 over the last financial year by putting such goods up for sale on internet auction site eBay and Abe Books.
Oxfam is aiming to have 120,000 donated items on sale at its online site by the spring of 2008, with volunteers to select and upload new items each day.
Commenting on the launch of the online charity shop, Oxfam director Barbara Stocking said: "At a time when how we buy is at the forefront of people's minds, Oxfam's online shop gives people a real way to buy more ethically.
"This is the one website where customers will know that all their purchases will directly support Oxfam working with people in poverty across the world," she added.
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