Salvation Army Thrift Stores play a vital role in our overall mission to ‘do the most good’. As people donate goods to the Thrift Store, sure they can get a tax deduction, but the long-term benefit does so much more. Donations of clean and gently used clothes, apparel, household appliances, furniture, and electronics generate income that supports Salvation Army social 
programs. Because our Thrift Stores are so important, a passionate person should be heading up those stores to ensure success. Fortunately for The Salvation Army of Coastal Alabama, we have Jasmine Batie.
[quote align=”center” color=”#999999″]”To be greeted with a smile, soft music playing in the background and a department store feel. These are things we typically expect from big name stores so why not at a thrift store?”[/quote]
Last year, local Salvation Army Thrift Stores saw much needed change. Before Jasmine took the job of managing The Salvation Army Thrift stores in Mobile and Foley, she wanted to get a glimpse of the stores. When Jasmine walked in, she thought things seemed ‘unorganized’. “It was like a big dirty garage sale!” she says. “You’d see naked manikins.” Other areas she felt needed improvement were the store’s overall appearance and customer service.
Jasmine took on the task of turning things around at the Thrift Stores and making them more profitable. “I envisioned the stores as more of a thrifty boutique” said Jasmine. She began by rearranging the stores. Departmentalizing the merchandise, and posting more signage to help customers navigate around. Presentation is very important to Jasmine so the store is always clean and manikins are always clothed. Everything from shoes, handbags, books, jewelry and household items are all kept orderly.
[quote align=”center” color=”#999999″]”I envisioned the stores as more of a thrifty boutique”[/quote]
To be greeted with a smile, soft music playing in the background and a department store feel. These are things we typically expect from big name stores so why not at a thrift store?
As important as appearance is to Jasmine, perhaps even more important is good customer service. “Greeting people with a warm smile and saying hello when they come in” said Jasmine. Other changes implemented include daily sales and hosting events from Fashion Shows to Talent Shows all aimed at drawing more people in.
These changes are making an impact for customers, employees and the bottom-line. The stores have regular customers and one of them told Jasmine in late June, “Since you’ve been here, you’ve made a lot of changes and it’s nice.” Jasmine’s efforts 
have improved the cash flow because sales have rapidly increased. The Mobile and Foley Thrift Stores are now ranked in the top 5 performing Thrift Stores throughout the ALM (Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi) division of the Salvation Army.
[quote align=”center” color=”#999999″]”Since you’ve been here, you’ve made a lot of changes and it’s nice.”[/quote]
Despite tremendous progress being made, Jasmine and her staff are striving for more success. Within the next three to five years Jasmine hopes to double store sales, and become the top performing Thrift Store in the ALM division of the Salvation Army. She would also like to open two more stores in Mobile.
Thrift Store Photos:
