Retail Therapy For A Cause? Etsy Sellers Are Betting On It

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Jun 27, 2016, 08:40 ET

SAN FRANCISCO, June 27, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Small ripples in the Etsy pond are creating giant waves in the giving world. A community of Etsy sellers have become a force for good by giving back through product sales. Using the new GoCause app, Etsy sellers give back to a diversity of causes marketed across the images and product listings in their shops. Each seller's mission for good takes on a personal flair as they support causes to help children, animals, disaster relief and more. These Etsy sellers prove, it doesn't take deep pockets to make a huge difference.

The before and after of a product listing on Etsy using the GoCause app to support a cause.

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160624/383287

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160624/383288LOGO

In 2015 Etsy's total sales were $2.4B with 1.6 Million active sellers, averaging $1,500 in annual sales per shop. Though small in comparison to the typical online retailer, these shops are making a big impact. On average, an Etsy seller using the GoCause app donates 20-25% of a product's total purchase price. In a year, one Etsy seller is donating around $300 to charitable causes. If 10% of Etsy sellers donate with the GoCause app, charitable contributions could be between $50 and $60 million. Small amounts add up to a big total.

Why does charitable giving have a place in retail? Millennials. They are "the largest generation in history, representing $600 billion in spending opportunity." (Forbes) and "83% of Millennials expect businesses to do more than they are already doing to help the world." (MSL Group). Through the GoCause app, Etsy sellers are reaching this demographic in their own unique way, changing the world one handmade product at a time.

Need retail therapy for a cause? Shop Etsy sellers that give back. Are you an Etsy seller? Find out how your shop can give back at gocause.com.

GoCause Inc. is a passionate team on a mission to explore better ways to fund the world's most important causes. Our exploration has given us the confidence that, with the right tools, anyone can create a better world.

GoCause developed an amazing tool for the thriving Etsy seller community. We understand the challenge of running a small business, which is why our app seamlessly integrates with the Etsy platform and makes it easier than ever to support the world's most important causes.