A big handover from an Empty Shop

The Empty Shop was hosted by Sandton City, in partnership with McCann Johannesburg, from 28 October to 15 November this year. The initiative called for local residents to donate clothing and children’s toys to the shop, while they also hosted a sale on 14 and 15 November.

The concept, which is modelled on the original Brazilian model, saw clothes being donated and placed on mannequins, in the store, which were then taken down to invite new donations the next day.

Managing Director from McCann Johannesburg, Karabo Denalane, said, “Our vision at McCann is to help brands play a meaningful role in people’s lives, and its projects like these that allow us to reach our goal and potential.”

He added, “Local residents truly opened their hearts and their wardrobes and heeded the call to give back.”

All in all ,the initiative was able to break its four-ton record set in 2014 by collecting 5.2 tons of donations, while also making R67 900 from the sale.

General Manager of Sandton City and Nelson Mandela Square, Julie Hillary said, “We would like to extend thanks to all Sandton City customers, tenants and celebrities, who came in large numbers to help this initiative of bringing fashion, business and charity together. Breaking the record we set last year is testament that the public heard our call for help.”

All proceeds from the Empty Shop were handed over to the Sandton City Shopping Centre’s charity recipient for 2015, The Tomorrow Trust, whose chief executive officer and founder, Kim Feinberg, said,“This generous donation will help brighten the future of tomorrow’s leaders and ensure that we continue to shape the future of this country. We are delighted and humbled by the generosity of everyone who participated. This could not have been possible without our partners, Sandton City and McCann Johannesburg.”

What do you think of the Empty Shop initiative? Share your thoughts on the Sandton Chronicle’s Facebook page