The Erikshjälpen charity store on Åldermansgatan in Lund achieved a remarkable sales record when it reopened in mid-March, according to reports from Swedish media. During the reopening day, the store reportedly sold clothing, pastries, and porcelain worth half a million kronor - a figure that normally represents an entire week's sales for the establishment.
Store manager Joakim Sahrling described the results as "fantastic" in statements to both Sydsvenskan and Skånska Dagbladet. More than 4,000 customers visited the store on opening day, with queues reportedly extending outside the building and continuing on the other side of the street.
The store had previously operated on Öresundsvägen but closed in January to make way for new residential development in the Västebro district. The new location on Åldermansgatan features 1,250 square meters of sales space and employs over 100 staff, making it Sweden's largest Erikshjälpen store by workforce and turnover.
Sahrling attributed the strong opening day performance to rainy weather and social media attention. Clothing, particularly women's clothing, was the top-selling category, which the store manager believes reflects growing consumer interest in second-hand fashion amid concerns about the environmental impact of new clothing production.
The new store has reused much of the interior from the previous location, including doors, cash registers, entrance mats, and even toilet seats, maintaining the charity's commitment to sustainability.