Save The Children - Bermondsey

Quarterly Market Analysis Report April-June 2018: boost as charity shops report 4.7 per cent like for like income rise

In the latest Quarterly Market Analysis Report published by the Charity Retail Association today (31 August 2018), the period surveyed (April to June 2018) saw welcome growth in the sector.

The report shows a strong performance in in the second quarter of this year, ending with income excluding Gift Aid tax reclaims increasing by 4.7 per cent on a like-for-like basis from April-June 2017. This is in marked contrast to the figures for the corresponding period last year, which saw negligible growth (+0.9 per cent). Like-for-like sales from customer purchases also rose 4.7 per cent, up from 1.2 per cent in Q2 2017.

Additionally, like-for-like donated goods sales rose by 4.6 per cent since Q2 2017, up from the 1.5 per cent increase seen 12 months prior. The average charity shop weekly turnover totalled at £2,246.

Despite commercial high street footfall continuing to decline, an increasing number of charity retailers reported positive growth, up from 67 per cent to 81 per cent on the corresponding period last year.

Income from recyclers to charity shops dipped slightly, with the median average price per kilo now 45 pence for our survey respondents, a two pence reduction on the corresponding period last year. A large proportion of those surveyed (70.1 per cent) believe recycler prices will not change in the short-term.

Charity Retail Association CEO, Robin Osterley, said: “Despite shoppers habits changing and big chain stores suffering in the high street recently, these figures showcharity shops are very much alive and kicking.

“The report indicate growth in key areas and we hope this good news continues for our members.”

Our members can download the full report and RAG price survey in the members’ section of this website.