We have published our Quarterly Market Analysis
BOOST FOR CHARITY SHOP SALES AS SHOPPERS SWITCH TO SUSTAINABLE ALTERNATIVES
The quarterly market analysis report compiled by the Charity Retail Association (CRA), reveals that charity shop sales grew by +3.2% year-on-year, during the 3 months ending 31st December 2019. This bucks the wider commercial retail trend of continued decline of around –1% in the same period.
The report revealed that the average weekly turnover per charity shop rose above £2,500, the highest figure on record since 2014. This could indicate that consumers’ attitudes and behaviours are changing and becoming more environmentally conscious, thus switching to a more sustainable means of shopping such as charity shops.
The Charity Retail Association welcomes the growth in sustainable shopping from consumers and is calling on the Government to support this trend. The Environment Bill, currently being considered by Parliament, provides a historic opportunity to increase rates of reuse.
Robin Osterley, Chief Executive of the CRA, commented:
“It is encouraging that charity shop sales are continuing to grow strongly despite the situation in the wider high street. More and more consumers are choosing to buy second hand goods as a means of reducing their impact on the planet which is one factor supporting the continued growth of charity retail. As Parliament considers the new Environment Bill, we are calling on the Government to get behind this change in consumer behaviour by having a relentless focus on increasing rates of reuse.”
“In the run up to Christmas, awareness of the impact of consumerism on the environment grew, with shoppers choosing charity shops to buy their ‘Secret Santa’ and Christmas gifts. We hope that the public will continue discovering pre-loved treasures in charity shops and are calling on the government to encourage rates of reuse.”
“We hear more and more stories of people who are simply giving up buying new clothes and are instead focusing on the variety, quality and difference provided by shopping in an environment where profits are put into something good. These switches are reflected in the encouraging data and statistics in our latest report”.
The report is available to members, click here.