Social thrift store dribbles inflation with popular prices in the periphery

Shopping mall experience without having to leave the neighborhood. This is one of the proposals of Shopping das Valquírias, a popular clothing bazaar created in São José do Rio Preto (interior of SP) to serve residents of the outskirts of the city. On site, it is possible to find parts up to 80% cheaper than in conventional stores.

“Inflation does not affect us, because we do not buy from distributors to resell. We have this social character, and from the beginning we have a fixed price, which has never been readjusted”, says Stephannie Longhi, manager of the mall.

In an area of ​​almost 300 square meters, Shopping das Valquírias was installed in the Mugnaini neighborhood, in the north zone, one of the most socially vulnerable areas of the city. This Sunday (10), it completed one year of operation.

The project is part of Instituto Valquírias World – a holding of social impact initiatives – and was designed as a way to enhance conscious consumption through the circular economy.

Currently, the shopping center has a collection of almost 7,000 pieces, including new and used products. Part of what is exposed comes from own production, but the vast majority is the result of donations.

The space works as a multi-brand bazaar, where you can find women’s clothes, shoes and accessories from R$5.90. The most expensive product is sold at R$100 (limited value at the bazaar), charged for designer pieces, which can cost up to R$400 in a mall store. “It’s the same product, same label, but up to 80% off,” says Stephannie.

The affordable price is possible through the partnership established by the institute with major clothing brands that serve the city, such as Instituto C&A, Carolina Herrera, Murau, Cia Marítima, Mãos da Terra, A Duqueza, M/A Clothes, Donata Meirelles and Desnude , among others. Every month, brands select a number of pieces and send them to the bazaar, free of charge.

In addition to the companies, the project also counts on the participation of godmothers, says Stephannie. “They are bloggers, influencers and businesswomen who help in collecting the pieces. They serve as a bridge between the donors and the bazaar”. Apart from partnerships, the space also receives donations from the community.

All material received goes through a screening and pricing process. What needs maintenance is sent to the seamstress of the project. What cannot be exposed on the macaws, but still has utility and useful life, is intended for homeless people and families assisted by the institute’s assistance programs.

Social impact project

In addition to providing quality clothing and accessories at affordable prices for low-income families, Shopping das Valquírias also offers a different shopping experience for consumers from the periphery.

“There are women here, from the periphery, who have never had the opportunity to go to a shopping mall. They believe they don’t belong there, because they don’t have the financial means. Shopping das Valquírias was created to give them that experience”, says Stephannie.

Lorrayne Pereira, 32, has been a customer of the mall since it opened. Currently unemployed and mother of three children aged between 4 and 8, she says she would not be able to buy the same pieces in traditional stores. “When we dress well, we feel that our self-esteem improves. Our image changes”.

Last month, Lorrayne graduated from the personal brushing and colorimetry technical course, offered free of charge by one of the social programs maintained by Valquírias World. For the event, she wanted to feel special.

She bought a lace dress, a dress vest and a pair of black high-heeled shoes. Each item cost R$ 14.90. “If it were a regular store, I have no idea how much all this would cost. I was really happy with the result,” she says.

Demand grows as local businesses suffer from inflation

Shopping das Valquírias opens to the public three times a month, usually on Saturdays. At each mega-bazaar, the establishment receives an average of 300 customers and sells up to 2,000 items. All money raised is donated to the social programs maintained by the institution, which impact more than 7,000 people.

CEO of Valquírias World, Amanda Oliveira says that the movement of customers has grown so much in the last year, that it has already surpassed the barriers of the neighborhood and also started to attract consumers from other areas of the city.

“At this time of high inflation, the mall has become a reference not only for women who live there. Many people from the city have started to buy at the mall, precisely because of the low prices and the quality of the products”, says Amanda.