Irish charities are adapting their sales strategies as secondhand clothing apps like Vinted gain popularity. Vision Ireland, a charity supporting people with sight loss, has started selling high-value donated items on these platforms.
Jody Monaghan, head of retail at Vision Ireland, said the organization now lists premium items—such as designer clothing and vintage pieces—on resale apps to reach a wider audience. This approach helps maximize revenue from donations that might otherwise sell for less in traditional charity shops.
The shift reflects a broader trend in the charity retail sector, where organizations are embracing digital marketplaces to compete with the growing secondhand economy. According to a 2025 report by ThredUp, the global secondhand market is projected to reach $350 billion by 2027, with online resale growing rapidly.
Other Irish charities, including Oxfam Ireland and the Irish Cancer Society, have also experimented with selling on platforms like Depop and eBay, though Vision Ireland appears to be one of the first to fully integrate Vinted into its strategy.
