The history of Oxfam shops
Oxfam's retail history spans nearly 80 years, from the first temporary Oxfam shop which was set up to raise funds for the Greek famine emergency in 1943 to today's annual Second Hand September campaign.
Take a look at our interactive timeline for more insight into Oxfam’s retail history.
Oxfam's retail history
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First temporary shop
A temporary gift shop is set up by volunteers in an Oxford department store. It runs for 11 days and raises over £3,000 for starving people in occupied Greece.
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First permanent shop
Our first permanent shop on Broad Street, Oxford, starts trading in December 1947.
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First Oxfam book department opens
The first Oxfam book department opens in the cellar of our Guildford shop. Today we’re the biggest secondhand bookseller in Europe.
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Oxfam launches the Toy Appeal
Oxfam launches the Toy Appeal to drive toy donations to Oxfam shops. We still welcome toy donations today.
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Oxfam drives gift donations to shops for Christmas
Bring Oxfam a Christmas gift to sell in this shop
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Nearly New Fashion Show launch
Oxfam's Nearly New Fashion Show launch poster encourages second hand clothing
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25 years of Fair Trade
Oxfam celebrated 25 years of Fair Trade
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Launch of Cafédirect
Oxfam and other charities launch Cafédirect – the first coffee to carry the Fairtrade mark – giving thousands of farmers a way to sell their produce at fair prices.
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50 years of Oxfam working for a Fairer World
Oxfam Celebrates 50 years of Oxfam working for a Fairer World
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First Oxfam Festival Shop
The first Oxfam Festival Shop opens at Glastonbury. Our shops can now be found at the UK’s major festivals all summer long.
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Oxfam advertises its Fair Trade foods
Oxfam advertises its Fair Trade foods offering which is still going strong today
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Oxfam's clothes code campaign
Oxfam's clothes code campaign calls for retailers to adopt a basic code of rights for those working in the clothing industry.
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Oxfam encourages men to get behind second hand clothing
With this 90s poster appeal
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Oxfam Unwrapped launch
It's the millennium when Oxfam launches Oxfam Unwrapped for the first time. Unwrapped gifts are still available to buy today
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Secondhand September
Oxfam's ‘Secondhand September’ washing line at Glastonbury Festival 2019. Oxfam launched its Second-hand September campaign at Glastonbury festival by asking people to pledge to say no to new items of clothing for one month.
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Oxfam Superstore opens
The Oxfam Superstore opens in Oxford. It's filled with one-of-a-kind finds, handcrafted gifts, homeware and more, both donated and from our own Sourced by Oxfam range. It's even home to a café inside an Oxfam water tank!
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The Oldham Oxfam Shop turns 50
The Oldham Oxfam Shop was opened by three women in 1971. Volunteers remain at the heart of Oxfam's shops, making a huge contribution to our work, helping people build better lives around the world.