Habitat for Humanity
Habitat for Humanity
Client Success Story
The Problem
Habitat for Humanity International hosts a bi-annual internal education and professional development conference for the staff that make up its affiliate network, which includes an opportunity to shop for Habitat-branded merchandise. The COVID-19 pandemic delayed the conference by a year. When it was held in April 2022, the global housing nonprofit chose a hybrid approach to engage both those attending in-person and those attending virtually. In addition to staffing changes, a short timeline added a level of complexity to addressing the organization’s merchandising needs.
“I’m not a merchandising person, so I really leaned heavily on Markë One to come up with merchandise for the store.”
The Solution
Markë One stepped in to fill knowledge gaps and staffing needs to make sure the onsite store at the conference ran smoothly. Markë One’s staff assisted Habitat staff with discerning what merchandise was available and what merchandise needed to be fulfilled at different price points. Supply chain issues affected the process; some items had to be sourced from different manufacturers to ensure timely arrival. Markë One’s national account director Rachel Elvin guided the entire process.
“I would just kind of try to guide them. For example, I might say, ‘You have some leftover men’s shirts in this color, let’s order some more sizes and add a women’s shirt.’ We tried to get into the mindset of the person doing the shopping and who they’re trying to give it to. We tried to have different price points and stick within brand guidelines.”
Planning for the event included building and sending merchandise kits to hundreds of virtual attendees. Markë One worked with Habitat to choose a mix of items in an attractive package that would arrive at their doors in time for the conference.
Markë One staff also joined Habitat staff and Americorps volunteers in Atlanta to set up and staff the store during the conference. Markë One’s merchandising experts spent two and a half days helping to set up an attractive and inviting store for attendees, and four days staffing the store.
“We tried to get into the mindset of the person doing the shopping and who they’re trying to give it to.”
Results
Through purchases made by in-person and virtual conference attendees, the store brought in more than $100,000 in sales during the conference, the proceeds from which help fund Habitat for Humanity’s mission to build strength, stability and self-reliance through shelter.
