Oxfam shuts its retail doors in Australia after 50 years

Oxfam has announced it will close its Australian retail arm, closing all 13 stores.

The not-for-profit, part of the international Oxfam confederation, has a 50-plus-year retail history in Australia.

It began with Community Aid Abroad shops, later rebranded to Oxfam.

The sale of fair and ethical products has helped fund its charitable operations.

It opened two new format stores in Sydney back in 2016, but the SmartCompany website noted the organisation had been unable to beat the retail blues.

“We know this will be very difficult news for our staff and volunteers — and our customers — given how highly regarded Oxfam Trading has been over many years,” Oxfam Australia chief operating officer Tony McKimmie said.

“We sincerely thank them all for their dedication and significant contribution to our core mission of tackling poverty.”

McKimmie cited declining revenue in retail and wholesale channels, including flat online sales growth, as the financial factors behind the shutdown.

It reported the big players — Vinnies and Salvos — have been disrupted but are working quickly to revise their retail strategies.