Media Centre

Bargain Browser farewell

Publish Date: 28/01/2009
Author: Marketing & Communications Dept.

After a review of the last six years of operations of Baptcare’s Bargain Browser retail stores, the Baptcare Board made the difficult decision to cease operations of all stores on December 19th 2008.

The Bargain Browser stores have been an important part of Baptcare’s operations since 1969, and the valuable contribution that the staff members have made to the stores and the local communities in which they operate has been acknowledged and honoured in a thank you ceremony.

The decision to close the stores was made after careful consideration of numerous options, and was not taken lightly.

The Bargain Browsers are no longer financially viable or sustainable for Baptcare. Over the past six years the Bargain Browsers have produced a large deficit, despite numerous efforts to renew the business, including expansion, marketing campaigns and professional development for staff.

Significant changes to the op-shop industry over the last few years have led to increased competition from both the not-for-profit and commercial sectors. These larger players are part of significant retail chains that have greater economies of scale than Baptcare currently has.

In addition, while the Bargain Browsers were originally designed to provide people in disadvantaged communities with affordable quality recycled clothes, Baptcare’s strategic direction has since evolved to seek new ways of addressing poverty and disadvantage in the community.

While Baptcare has made the decision to cease operating the Bargain Browsers, we have met with local churches and other organisations and are hopeful that all stores (excluding the warehouse) will remain open under new management.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank all Bargain Browser staff, volunteers and clients for their commitment, loyalty and valuable contributions.