This year has introduced many changes to the way of life we previously knew. For many people, the periodic closing and reopening of businesses in line with coronavirus restrictions has had a huge impact. We’ve worked hard to keep our shops open when possible and make them safe for our customers, companions, volunteers and staff because our social enterprises are the backbone of what we do.

Our shops not only raise the money needed to help us support people who have experienced homelessness, they also play a valuable part in their local communities, offering affordable items to local people in an environmentally friendly way.

All of these benefits of charity shops are the focus of Buy Nothing New Day, which was created in protest of the excessive consumerism marketed by Black Friday; the event held the day after Thanksgiving in the US when retailers slash their prices to push customers to make impulse purchases.

Each year Black Friday becomes a bigger event and is promoted increasing early. At a time when the effects of excessive production are showing in global warming, and executives of large corporations are becoming staggering rich, it seems a difficult trend to justify. As a countermovement to Black Friday, Buy Nothing New Day encourages us all to shop more responsibly and sustainably, using our spending power to have a positive impact on the world.

When shopping at Emmaus you help support people who have experienced homelessness to rebuild their lives, you keep good-quality items out of landfill and you have access to unique pieces not found anywhere else on the high-street at affordable prices every day of the year.

Most of our shops are still closed due to Lockdown 2.0, but you can still shop on our eCommerce sites or visit the website and social media channels of your local Emmaus community for updates on when their shops will be reopening.

Thank you for reading and best wishes,

Mark

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Mark Johnson is the Business Development Manager of Emmaus UK. Emmaus supports more than 850 formerly homeless people across the UK, providing them with a home for as long as they need it, support, meaningful work and training. There are now 29 Emmaus communities across the UK, and five Emmaus groups currently working to open new communities.