Shopping and philanthropy don’t usually go hand in hand. Unless you consider the purchase of a pair of shoes an act of charity to yourself. However if you’re in Paris you can now invest in fashion, fragrances, furniture and flowers in the guilt-free knowledge that you’re giving something back. A new concept in philanthroshopping (yes, I did just invent that word), the appropriately-named boutique ‘Merci’ has just opened a 1,500m² space on the Boulevard Beaumarchais between the Marais and Bastille.

One hundred percent of the store’s profits will go to charities supporting women and children in Madagascar. But this is not your typical charity shop – Merci offers an eclectic mélange of new and second-hand goods. Fashionable Parisiennes can find clothing from brands including YSL, Stella McCartney, Martin Margiela and Marni, alongside a carefully chosen selection of vintage pieces. The designers have agreed to create garments specially for the store and as it is not making any profit, they cost between 30 and 40 percent less than the clothing in the designer’s own shops. What’s not to like?

Merci also offers an interesting selection of vintage and new furniture, seasonal flowers (no carbon footprint here) and an Annick Goutal perfume bar, selling fragrances in refillable bottles. If you’re in a need of a post-shopping break, you can choose between the restaurant which serves food made with ingredients from Merci’s own kitchen garden, or the café littéraire which sells drinks and snacks as well as a selection of second-hand books.

Philanthroshopping is officially the new shopping.