Closure of the Oxfam Shop in late July 2020
The Oxfam Shop officially closed on 31 July 2020, ending a historic chapter in the sale of secondhand goods and Fair Trade in the city. This was a very difficult decision, but in the face of the ever-changing business environment and uncertainties, and growing inequality across the globe, we need to allocate more resources to the fight against poverty in more impoverished communities.
Looking back at precious memories
In 1977, Oxfam opened its first Oxfam Shop in Hong Kong to encourage citizens to donate and buy secondhand items to support its poverty alleviation work around the globe. Many dedicated volunteers have helped extend the life of many secondhand goods. In the past, we hosted the Designers’ Label Week at the shop, offering designer items donated by celebrities at half or even less than half the original price. All proceeds went to Oxfam's development and humanitarian programmes around the world and has since lifted tens of thousands of people out of poverty.
Promoting ethical consumption
Oxfam began promoting Fair Trade back in the 1950s and launched the Make Trade Fair campaign in 2002. In 2017, we revamped the Oxfam Shop from a secondhand shop to a hub for ethical consumption. The shop was a major part of our Shop for Change campaign, which aimed to build awareness of the problems confronting smallholder farmers and producers, many of whom live in poverty.
We sold quality Fair Trade and organic products from various groups around the world and local social enterprises. Many of the Fair Trade products are produced by middle-aged women, single parents, and disadvantaged groups. We firmly believe that Fair Trade can ensure that poor farmers, farm labourers, fisherfolk and workers in developing countries work under fair conditions and sell their products at a reasonable price. It also establishes fairer trading relationships, reduces environmental damage, and fosters a more sustainable and just society.
Volunteers and customers are like old friends. All the friendly smiles of visitors and each customer at the Oxfam Shop have made an impact on us and the fight against poverty!
We would like to express our sincere gratitude to those of you who have supported the Oxfam Shop and ethical consumption. To all Oxfam Ambassadors who have supported the shop and our events there, to our friends who have donated secondhand goods to fight poverty, and to our volunteers who helped run the shop so efficiently and professionally, thank you.
Donate clothing
Oxfam Hong Kong no longer accepts secondhand items. Donors can refer to other community initiatives, including the Community Used Clothes Recycling Bank Scheme, and those at The Salvation Army, St. James’ Settlement and other organisations to put their items to good use.
Other Ethnical Consumption Locations:
Local organic production: Hong Kong Organic Resource Centre
Fair Trade products platform: Fair Trade Hong Kong
Other partners: WECONS, FAIR CIRCLE
Learn more about Fair Trade