Charity retail statistics

Profit contribution of charity retail to parent charities

£387m in 2022/23 (1)

Social value generated by UK charity shops

£75.3 billion in Jan-Dec 2022 (8)

Average transaction value in a charity shop

£7.32 in Apr-Jun 2025 (sample 59 charities) (2)

Amount of textiles kept from being disposed of each year

339,000 tonnes in 2018/19 (3)

Number of people employed in charity retail in the UK

More than 23,500 FTE employees (4)

Number of charity shop volunteers in the UK

More than 203,600 volunteers (4)

Number of charity shops in the UK

Around 10,100 (5)

Proportion of income from new goods sales

7.7% in Apr-Jun 2025 (sample 58 charities) (2)

Sample information on average price per item (UK median prices)

Womenswear: £4.50 (6) Menswear: £5.01 (6)

Proportion of all retail units which are charity shops

3.3% (5)

Amount charity shops save councils in waste disposal charges

At least £31 million each year by diverting 339,000 tonnes of textiles away from landfill or incineration (7)

74% of people agreed that charity shops help reduce waste within their community.

73% of people agreed that charity shops provide affordable goods for local residents.

68% of people agreed that charity shops encourage ethical shopping.

28% of people said donating to causes they feel connected to was the most important factor when donating.

13% of people said sustainability was the most important factor when donating.

12% of people said donating to shops close to where they reside was the most important factor in choosing where to donate.