Cost-conscious consumers are opening their wallets to items sold at charity clothing shop Saint Vincent de Paul.

Vinnies spokeswoman Julie McDonald claimed that “during the global financial crisis we saw a huge increase in sales of about 20 per cent in 2009, as people were being a bit more frugal and ditching David Jones for their local Vinnies.”

McDonald said the charity chain has not been affected by the 'discount fatigue' which has spread across other stores in Australia. Sha said, “We are seeing the opposite -- when we have a designer sale, or a 10 per cent off sale, revenue really peaks, which might be because people are getting value as well as making a difference.”

The pull of Vinnies has maintained half of their global crisis customers inspite of the economic recovery. Store sales even coincided with a 33 percent increase in people seeking help because the charitable institition is well-known for those in need of food, shelter, or other support.

This September, Vinnies will try to pull in the fashion-spirited buyers with their 'Styled by Vinnies' advertising campaign. McDonald said the campaign is marked at shoppers seeking vintage and designer items that could not be found in mainstream stores.