Good news for the retail sector

Charity shop income is on the rise with positive signs footfall is returning to post-covid levels.

Income rose 15% in the first quarter of 2023 compared to the same period last year, according to figures from industry body the Charity Retail Association.

Data comes from  surveying 46 charities which manage 2,800 shops which also revealed that stores saw a 12.4% increase in average transactions each day compared with the same period in 2022.

However, charity shops are still struggling to fill staff and volunteer vacancies to cope with demand.

One-third of charities reported volunteer shortages, while 38% said it was a challenge to make sure they had enough employees, according to the association.

Robin Osterley, chief executive of the CRA, said: “It’s clear from our data that charity shops remain incredibly important to shoppers as the they look for affordable shopping choices to help combat the effects of the cost-of-living crisis.

“Charities are working hard to provide their customers with the best shopping experiences that meet shoppers’ needs, from trying out new online sales platforms to renovating their shops.

“Charity shops are also perfectly positioned to appeal to sustainable shoppers, as more people look to make environmentally-friendly choices and can easily find a range of charity retail options on their doorstep.

“The public can help to support charity shops by prioritising donating to charity shops when having clear-out, and volunteering their time wherever possible.

“Charity shops not only benefit people looking for affordable and sustainable shopping, but are also crucial to raising money for good causes, so every time you support a charity shop it really does matter.”