Great Big Charity Superstore

Salvation Army Trading Company has just opened their first GREAT BIG Charity Superstore in Northampton. A new type of charity shopping experience, the 10,00 square foot high street store has clothing, furniture, electricals, white goods, nursery items and it's very own café.

As design and business consultants with specialist retail and café experience Pleydell Smithyman Limited worked with Salvation Army Trading Company to develop a concept for the superstore, which would deliver a great shopping experience and a place for The Salvation Army to work in and with its local community. As Salvation Army Trading Company Head of Development, Nick Morton, explained "We are very excited about the opening of the first 'GREAT BIG Charity Superstore'. We have created this new concept charity shop to act as not just a shop, but a place to serve the people of Northampton. The Salvation Army puts local communities at the forefront of its work and we wanted to reflect this in the Superstore, making it an environment for our visitors to be sociable, join in with activities and workshops, and connect with the local Salvation Army church.

The team at Pleydell Smithyman Limited worked in partnership with Salvation Army Trading Company from initial idea through to concept. At all stages of the design process we worked closely with the client team to deliver a bespoke solution, helping them realise their aspirations in a way that would enable the GREAT BIG Charity Superstore to stand out in the market, be a vibrant and attractive shopping experience and support The Salvation Army's charitable objectives. Our Director Paul Pleydell says "charity retail needs to change and be bold; this new store concept differentiates Salvation Army Trading Company from their competitors and provides an eye catching and memorable look; a structured setting for a diverse product range and most importantly a place where our client's team can engage with the local community."

More than just a great big charity shop the superstore also includes a café, which will provide a meeting place for shoppers and the wider community, as well as provide great opportunities for volunteers as Store General Manager Jayne Sargeant explained "we are pleased that we can offer retail experience to our volunteers, as well as barista training through our café. Ultimately we are looking to provide for people in the community and we feel the extensive opportunities for volunteers will help to achieve this."