June 26, 2012
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Stacey Doss, SDDPR
949-285-2362, Stacey@sddpr.com
## Goodwill of Orange County ##
It’s A Whole New Shopping Experience at
Goodwill of Orange County Retail Stores
--All 20 Orange County locations get a new look and feel --
--Mission remains the same: by shopping here, you help create employment opportunities!--
SANTA ANA, Calif. – June 26, 2012 – Orange County’s 20 Goodwill retail stores just got a makeover, and now carry a very clear message to shoppers: “by shopping here, you’re creating a path to jobs.” The whole new shopping experience focuses on personalization, using faces of actual Goodwill program participants who are benefitting from loyal shoppers who choose Goodwill. When people shop at Goodwill, they’re not just finding great deals, they are supporting job training and placement programs for people with disabilities and other disadvantages.
The inspiring theme “Find/Give” is present throughout the stores and speaks directly to finding joy, recognition and purpose. “Every day the whole Goodwill team is focused on one thing: ensuring we are able to help more people each year find greater joy and purpose in life through employment and that they are recognized for their abilities,” said Corrine Allen, vice president, retail operations, for Goodwill of Orange County. “Goodwill stores feature gently used and new items that are bargains for smart shoppers. Most stores introduce more than 2,000 new items every day into their inventory mix on the sales floor. So if you don’t find what you’re looking for today, your best bet is to check back the next day.”
Shopping at Goodwill has even caught on within the fashion community. Nicole Longstreath, a local wardrobe consultant writes in her blog, “I frequently hunt through one of my favorite Goodwill OC locations to find the best secondhand clothing. Most garments at Goodwill run about $7, regardless of the label - so you can actually play with fashion and experiment! Plus, your purchases go to a good cause – helping local individuals and families gain greater independence.”
The new signage, floor graphics, racks, audio messages and even the receipts tie into the “Find/Give” theme, and double as smart way-finding tools to enhance the shopping experience. Sergio Munoz, one of Goodwill’s district sales managers, noted that “customers are getting a great deal on the things they want, but they are seeing that by supporting Goodwill, they are also helping people with disabilities and other barriers find joy and live more meaningful, productive lives.”
“We have thousands of loyal customers who have been shopping here for decades -- as did their families before them -- over the past several decades,” said Allen. “But they likely didn’t fully understand the impact of Goodwill’s programs and services. The mission messaging does this, which is not only appealing to current customers, but very intriguing to new customers as well, who appreciate that they are having a positive effect on another human being simply by shopping at a Goodwill store. Not only are they getting a great deal, but they’re doing good for some of the most underserved people in the community.”
The stores are attracting new and loyal customers alike.
- “I had a blast shopping here while visiting from TX!,” posted Sylvia Thomas on Goodwill of Orange County’s Facebook page.
- Kathy Warren posted, “Wonderful organization in every way! Nothing goes to waste, and they help people with challenges get jobs.”
Goodwill has stores throughout Orange County and their website, http://www.ocgoodwill.org/shop/retail-stores provides a convenient store locator. Fans can also subscribe to an e-newsletter that offers special promotions, information about new stores and discount offers, in addition to compelling stories about individuals they serve.
To view photos of the new Goodwill shopping experience, please visit http://www.flickr.com/photos/ocgoodwill/collections/72157630300320536/.
About Goodwill of Orange County Goodwill of Orange County is a nonprofit organization with its main campus located at 410 North Fairview in Santa Ana. Now in its 88th year, Goodwill of Orange County has provided thousands of people with disabilities and other barriers the opportunity to achieve their highest levels of personal and economic independence through competitive employment. You can also shop from the comfort of your own home on Goodwill’s online auction site, shopgoodwill.com. For more information on Goodwill of Orange County, please contact Katherine Ransom, Sr. Director, Marketing and Communications at (714) 547-6308 ext. 308 or katheriner@ocgoodwill.org. Information can also be found at www.ocgoodwill.org.
###
