Rachel Blair says the year ahead offers a range of opportunities for the charity retail sector
The Charity Retail Association marks its 20th birthday this year, providing an ideal opportunity to look at how the sector is doing and what we can expect in the coming months.
Our big birthday has coincided with our 400th member joining our organisation. This is positive news for the Charity Retail Association which thrives on our member network learning and developing from each other. Our chief executive, Robin Osterley, commented on this recently saying: “We want to foster a culture where members can share information, learn best practices, and gain feedback that provide a platform for continuous learning and improvement. The growing use of our service reflects we are on the right path in serving the sector.”
Research we conducted in 2018 showed that charity retailers are in a healthy position and continue to over perform, even in a challenging trading environment. We know that high street shoppers seek variety which is one of our key strengths. Charity shops can provides a unique shopping experience while giving shoppers the opportunity to contribute to a good cause. They also contribute social value to the local area in the form of voluntary/employment opportunities and a sense of community cohesion.
There are great environmental benefits of charity retail (which we’ll be discussing at our Gathering event on 20 February) that can only become more relevant as climate targets take prominence on the political agenda. Environmental policy from the Scottish Government is becoming more focused on creating a circular, zero-waste economy (which we saw in the December budget announcement with a £20 million commitment). More consumers are becoming aware of their environmental impact and are tuning in to the second-hand goods available to them. Charity shops provide a sustainable shopping experience and so could benefit greatly from increased promotion of purchasing pre-loved items.
In the Scottish Parliament, we are likely to see Daniel Johnson, MSP for Edinburgh Southern, take forward his Protection of Workers Bill which is to make abusing or attacking a shop worker a serious offence carrying an additional punishment. We recently had a meeting in the Scottish Parliament with him to discuss the possibility of including charity shop volunteers in the bill. The aim of the bill is that the additional protection could act to deter unacceptable treatment of retail workers. We look forward to working with Mr Johnson to ensure the charity retail sector is represented as the Bill progresses through parliament.
Another key issue facing charity shops, is the postcode lottery of business rates relief and waste management. We are working closely with partners on the issue to seek more consistent, transparent and fair support for charity shops which are contributing greatly to high streets, the environment and communities up and down the country.
Rachel Blair is public affairs and communications officer (Scotland) for the Charity Retail Association
The Environmental benefits of charity retail (Wed 20 February, 2pm, Alsh Suite 1)
