Good Sammy goes online with funding boost

Good Sammy op shops are now online.

Good Sammy op shops are now online, demonstrating resilience following the COVID-19 shutdown and embracing contemporary shopper behaviour thanks to Lotterywest’s COVID-19 Relief Fund support grant of $800,000.

Good Sammy CEO, Melanie Kiely said the closure of Good Sammy’s 29 retail stores during the COVID shutdown was the catalyst for the not-for-profit to launch its curated online store for special goods, collectables, and unique items.

“We are grateful for Lotterywest’s support which has enabled us to continue our core purpose of providing meaningful employment opportunities for West Australians with disability, despite our loss of income during the shop closures,” Ms Kiely said.
“While our retail stores will always be considered the face of Good Sammy Enterprises, creating the online shop has invigorated our way of doing business – and addressing changing shopping behaviours.”

As the only State Government owned lottery in Australia where all the profits are returned to the community, Lotterywest is committed to supporting Western Australians in these times of need.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Lotterywest will allocate all profits previously assigned to a direct grants budget into the COVID-19 Relief fund to assist the Western Australian community to recover.

While Good Sammy’s online shop creates a new revenue stream which is important, creating a diverse range of contemporary employment options reflects Good Sammy’s purpose and is a highlight of the new direction.

“To support the online store, we have created employment opportunities in photography, product styling, picking and packing.  Our fundamental reason for being is to provide meaningful employment for people with disability, in a contemporary environment.  Providing roles in a digital world creates yet another career path to be explored for our clients,” Ms Kiely said.

Ms Kiely emphasised there are plenty of bargains still to be found in the retail shops. “We view our online shop as complementing our existing stores, but if we have another shutdown occur in WA, we now have the ability to continue trading.”

Good Sammy is testing its systems and pricing, including shipping and a click and collect option from its stores. Ms Kiely said closing all 29 op shops during the shutdown was a necessary decision and a first in Good Sammy’s 60-year history, but in good news, Good Sammy has reopened most of its retail stores and the new online shop can be found at https://shop.goodsammy.com.au/