Save the trees and your wallet with Vinnies program

Debbie Ryan and store manager Snjezana de Courcy from the Melton vinnies. (Damjan Janevski) 432620_01

Vinnies is encouraging people in Melton to make sustainable choices when decorating their house, saving the environment and the hip pocket.

The Dupe the Room initiative is a call for locals to buy quality pre-loved items and affordable new goods from its ‘Vinnies Own’ range – with a clear call for Aussies to support community-centric shopping.

Vinnies shops head of merchandise and retail innovation Liz Randle said there is a host of quality products and hidden gems across stores in Melton.

“We love sharing tricks and hacks around the home at Vinnies – and now we’re having even more fun, encouraging our customers to learn how to dupe their rooms to look like the elevated spaces seen on lifestyle shows, Instagram and magazines,” she said.

“By shopping at Vinnies, you can create rooms similar to what you might see in high-end retailers for a fraction of the cost.

“What you’ll find in Vinnies Shops is eclectic and offers a wide range of items catering to many different looks for your home including mid-century modern, Scandi, Japandi and even art deco. Many of our customers are proud treasure hunters, finding distinctive items at Vinnies and turning them into truly stylish features in their own home. And, of course, they aren’t afraid to dive in to give certain items a facelift with paint and polish, too – which can be so much fun along the way.

“We are proud of how our shops provide support for people experiencing hardship – everyone who walks through our doors can be certain they are contributing to a sustainable movement that puts community welfare first.

“Same goes for how we support the environment – there’s a lot to be celebrated by taking the time to refresh your home, while reducing your environmental footprint and pushing back on over consumption too.”

Most of the goods in Vinnies Shops are generously donated, with proceeds from sales re-invested back into the community.

At an average selling price of less than $5, Vinnies sold more than 14 million items in the 2023-24 financial year.

With a dedicated workforce of 96 per cent volunteers, Vinnies Victoria served more than four million people in its shops; provided $3.8 million worth of material assistance to people in immediate need and funds generated through the circular ecosystem of Vinnies Shops and its loyal donors helped to alleviate more than $20.7 million in cost-of-living pressures.