South African startup forgood has launched a cause-based online pop-up store offering a curated selection of handcrafted products to purchase.
Disrupt Africa reported in January 2015 on the launch of forgood, an online platform allowing those that want to make a difference to connect with non-profits and corporates running social responsibility campaigns.
The forgood Pop-Up Store is open for the month of July only, with every sale generating income for a cause, helping to build long-term sustainability, create jobs, support skills development and empower communities.
“With the forgood Pop-Up Store we wanted to create something truly unique, something that would allow customers to buy products with purpose in a way that was easy to do and would directly support causes on the ground,” said Katherine Robertson, head of e-commerce at forgood.
“The Pop-Up Store is really an extension of the work we do at forgood – it aims to bring good ideas and great causes together in a way that creates awareness and promotes sustainability.”
Online shopping helps South Africans save time and money, but very few sites allow consumers to support local causes with their purchase power. The forgood Pop-Up Store aims to create a socially-conscious package that everyone can buy into.
The startup’s online platform has more than 1,300 different opportunities and 500 accredited social causes for people to choose from. The Pop-Up Store brings the same care to its curation.
“A lot of effort has gone into not only curating the products but also the variety of causes being supported. We want the Pop-Up Store to be a place where everyone, from animal lovers and environmental champions to people who have a passion for youth and community development, can come together and purchase beautiful products, with purpose,” said Robertson.
The Smile Foundation, Dogtown SA, Jewels of Hope, Gay and Lesbian Network, and Kainav Conservation Foundation are among the registered causes that will benefit from purchases.
