Oxfam opens the first of 20 boutique-style stores

Development charity Oxfam is to widen its appeal with a roll-out of boutique-style stores, the first of which will open in London tomorrow as part of World Fair Trade Day.

Head of retail operations Sarah Farquar said that she hopes to revamp 20 stores in the next few years. The first redesigned store is on Westbourne Grove (pictured) and the shops will carry new fashion as well as second-hand clothes.

The initiative has been overseen by former Topshop chief Jane Shepherdson. Farquar hopes that the new direction will change customers' view of charity shops.

"We have worked with Jane to make the shops more contemporary and brought in more ethical products to appeal to a wider range of shoppers," she said.

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