The Value of Giving Back – The Social Return of Charity Shops investigates the value charity shops have to society beyond the hundreds of millions of pounds they raise for their parent charities each year.

The report found that as well as being affordable and sustainable places to shop, charity shops also play an important role in improving people’s lives and wellbeing, generating social value in many different ways.

This research is kindly supported by Foot Anstey.

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Download ‘The value of giving back – the social return of charity shops’ report:


“The publication of this report is a major milestone in understanding the importance of charity retail above and beyond the sums raised for parent charities. Using widely accepted Cabinet Office methodology, this is the first time that we have been able to quantify the social value that charity shops bring to their customers, staff, volunteers and donors – in other words to the communities in which they operate. The results of this research establish beyond any doubt the crucial importance of charity shops in the high street and to UK PLC as a whole.”
Robin Osterley, Chief Executive, CRA

Read the CRA’s press release


“We are entering an unprecedented period when the power of ‘good’ is being recognised and valued by modern society perhaps like never before. Charities in the UK are an incredible force for the positive and charity shops often form their most accessible public face. Foot Anstey is proud to be a part of this opportunity to highlight the immense value of charity shops to society for social cohesion, lived experiences and the impact of giving back to people and the planet.”
Anna Phillips, Head of Charity Property, Foot Anstey

Read Anna’s blog about the project