Goodwill Makes A DifferenceShoppers should consider this to be sage advice as marketing vice president Cindy Graham shared her shopping strategy for the March 8 opening day at the Speedway Goodwill Store. “If you see it, buy it because chances are it won’t be there the next day,” Graham said. Graham’s advice is based on the Goodwill merchandising method of pushing volume through the doors. The store will rotate 1,700 items each day ranging from donations to new merchandise. Donations can be dropped off at the store’s rear. “We always say the best merchandise comes through the back door,” Graham said. The Goodwill has several methods of keeping the merchandise fresh. After four weeks, the merchandise is discounted by fifty percent. If is it is not sold, it is then taken to one of the outlet stores. The nearest outlet store to Speedway is 6650 West Washington Street. She explained the outlet stores provide a totally different shopping experience from the Goodwill Stores where all the clothes are organized by color. At the outlet store, the customer will find the clothes in a blue bin to sort through. Customers purchase the clothes by the pound, with no returns allowed. Goodwill Industries of Central Indiana offers more than just “the experience of the hunt” for consumers to find a good bargain. It is about helping people find jobs by buying donated items. Goodwill’s motto is “Together we help people find jobs.” It wasn’t until November 1996 that Goodwill started television advertising to dispel the shopping myths. Goodwill wanted the consumer to know it accepted credit cards, checks, and returns within seven days with receipt. She said the advertising idea started here and it is now syndicated throughout the country. Graham explained subtle messages of Goodwill’s mission are displayed throughout the store. Pictures of Brittany and Tim are hanging on the wall to remind customers that they have benefited from Goodwill’s educational services. She pointed to Brittany’s picture. Brittany’s perseverance reflects Goodwill’s belief that anybody can work regardless of his or her situation. Brittany is not only deaf, but she learned to sign despite the fact she is missing fingers. She also walks on prosthetic devices. Graham then pointed to Tim’s picture, who had worked at Goodwill’s Commercial Services for 25 years. One day he decided he wanted a different job. Tim was able to land a job at a bank delivering mail. Despite his disabilities, he has been able to strategize his own route to deliver the mail to the right people. He has been at the job now for seven years. Graham explained over the past five years, Goodwill has expanded beyond only helping those with disabilities to find jobs. Goodwill will not turn anyone away that is in search of job or in need of skills. During this time, Goodwill has focused on the youth because of the high drop out rate. Fifty percent of the youth did not have a diploma, so Goodwill created a Youth Learning Center to help those in need of a GED. The three years ago, Goodwill started two charter schools at 1635 W. Michigan, called the Indianapolis Metropolitan High School. The curriculum is designed around each individual’s learning pace. “One of the most frequent compliments parents give is the fact my child can learn at his own pace,” she said. This program is modeled after a program developed at Brown University. The charter school is now looking for 128 students to fill the freshman class. She also noted a senior program started in October of 2006 to help people, who are 60 and older, with re-entry into the workforce. Store Manager Aleah Melton called the store’s grand opening a success. “There are long lines and the parking lot is crowded,” she said. Melton is part of the management team at Speedway. “I live about five minutes from the store. It is a pleasure to give something to Speedway that makes a difference,” she said. Melton has been with Goodwill for seven years now. It is the mission of helping people to find jobs that gets her excited about coming to work. “The retail division helps support the whole organization,” she said. Customer Terresa Swanegan said she likes to shop at Goodwill for good bargains. She said the clothes are nicer here compared to some other bargain places. Swanegan said she has been preparing for this day since she heard the advertisement on the radio. . |
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