Pandemic Spurs Start-up to Bring Charity Shops into the Digital Age

A Penryn-based start-up is creating an online marketplace for charity shops.

Reluv, formed by Mollie Spurr, Harriet Wheatley and Tom Stewart on Launchpad, Falmouth University’s post-graduate incubation and acceleration programme, aims to improve the circulation of second-hand clothing.

Tom explained: “Charity shops don’t tend to do e-commerce, not many have an online space so we’re offering a platform where they can sell their best garments and reach new audiences. We’re all passionate about sustainable fashion and want to build online community as well as a marketplace with Reluv.”

The trio met while studying BA(Hons) Fashion Marketing at Falmouth and joined the Launchpad programme in January as a fully formed team with a start-up idea. They incorporated in July and have six charities on board including local charity shop Pants.

Harriet said: “The charities we’re working with aren’t just based in Cornwall, we’ve got one from Wales and a number from the south east and hope to have another four signed up shortly. The pandemic and the lockdown helped us move forward quickly, we had a solution to offer so when we reached out to the charity shops it was very timely and just what they needed.

“We’re not just offering a platform to sell clothes; we’re also working with our clients to make sure they have all the tools they need to optimise the opportunity. We offer guidance on trends, styling and photography tips as well as virtual coffee mornings.”

To find out more about Reluv and to visit the marketplace go to www.reluv.co.uk

If you’d like to sign up to working with Reluv contact them on enquiries@reluv.co.uk

Launchpad is Falmouth University’s postgraduate incubation and acceleration programme. It is part funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), Research England and Cornwall Council.