My first charity shop purchase was an old, dusty Polaroid camera I found in a store in my hometown in Essex.
I was thrilled that I’d been in the right place, at the right time, to claim the camera as my own – and was even more excited when I bought some film and discovered it actually worked, too.
The camera had a good run (it came everywhere with me that summer) until it eventually stopped working a few months later. By then, I’d become a charity shop convert, spending all my spare hours foraging for unexpected bargains in local stores.
Fast forward 15 years and charity shops have seen a surge in popularity. Charity shop sales were up 147% in 2023, according to a report by the Ethical Consumer and Co-operative Bank, while almost half the charities surveyed by the Charity Retail Association last year said they intended to open more stores in the coming six months.
Here, we look at why charity shops are growing, whether second-hand apps such as Vinted and Depop have impacted donations and prices, and tips for thrifting.
Why are more people charity shopping?
With many well-known retailers struggling on the high street in recent years, it’s notable that some charities are looking to increase their numbers of stores.
A shift towards sustainable shopping explains some of their growing appeal.
According to Oxfam, 12.5bn kg of carbon dioxide emissions (the equivalent of a plane flying around the world more than 17,000 times) could be prevented if all UK adults bought half of their next wardrobe second hand.
This isn’t lost on consumers who are looking to spend ethically. ‘We’re seeing a significant shift towards the younger market when we look at our customer demographics – and those customers are not just looking for value for money, they’re very interested in sustainability,’ Stephanie Major of the British Red Cross told us.
The cost of living crisis is also playing its part. Almost half of people in England and Wales are shopping more in charity stores, or are considering doing so, because of rising costs, a Mind survey from last year found.
How have Vinted and Depop impacted donations?
Just as charity shops have become more popular, so too have second-hand marketplaces such as Depop, eBay and Vinted, which allow you to sell items often fee-free and with easy postage options.
As more of us look to make extra cash by selling unwanted clothes or already-read books, some charities have noticed a knock-on effect to their donations.
Shooting Star Children’s Hospices told Charity Finance magazine last year: ‘The cost of living crisis has largely been favourable to our trading. However, we’re concerned about the quality and quantity of donations now that more people are selling on platforms like Vinted and Depop and there is more competition from the high street stores, e.g. John Lewis and Mint Velvet welcoming second-hand goods to be donated to them.’
Cancer Research UK also noted how, in light of rising costs, more people are choosing to sell or repair items rather than donate them.
But the charities we spoke to also recognised the positive contribution these platforms make to the second-hand economy. The British Red Cross’s Stephanie Major said: ‘It’s possible that these platforms have had an effect in terms of opening up the second-hand market to a new audience, which in turn has helped to drive new customers to our stores.’
And some charities are taking advantage of the wider audience these apps have and selling through them themselves.
- Read more: best and worst second-hand shopping apps
How have charity shops changed?
Certain charity shops, such as Mary Portas’ boutique-style Living and Giving stores, are a far cry from the jumble sales you might have associated with thrift shopping. Shelter also has a number of stores that exclusively sell designer and high-end high street wares.
As Emily London, a sustainable stylist and vintage seller, notes about these shops: ‘They’ve made huge efforts to merchandise their stores in a way that makes them look like boutiques. They’re really showcasing their donations in ways which are truly compelling and really seasonally appropriate.’
But some shoppers have complained that charity shop prices are increasing – a trend that has cut across all retail sectors in recent years – while others bemoan the fast-fashion items flooding their local stores.
Cheap prices on online platforms, particularly Vinted, can also make charity shops appear steep by comparison.
Depending on what you’re after, you might be able to find better prices on second-hand apps – but buying from charity shops has the added bonus of seeing the item in real life as well as donating money to a good cause.
- Read more: 15 ways to save money on clothes and shoes
Tips for getting the most out of charity shopping
- Consider seasonality: you might notice your local stores have better stock at certain times of the year. Cancer Research sees a spike in donations between March and April and just after Christmas, when people donate unwanted gifts.
- Remember to look high and low: ‘Charity shops will have boxes tucked away all over the shop,’ says Emily London. ‘Look through everything, as you never know what you’ll find.’
- Visit product-specific stores: looking for something in particular? Charities often have stores specifically for books, furniture, eveningwear and bridalwear. The St Oswald’s Hospice store in Whitley Bay, for example, specialises in prom and bridal dresses. ‘All of their wedding dresses are £150 and it’s amazing to see the work that goes into bringing them back to life,’ Emily says. ‘The donations they get are extraordinary.’
- Know your price point: some charities have stores for different budgets – for example, Cancer Research has a selection of ‘premium shops’ which offer high quality and designer fashion and homewares at slightly higher prices, while most donations at its superstores are priced at £5 or less.
- Shop online: don’t forget that charity shops often have accounts on second-hand apps, and may use these to sell collectable and designer items.
- Think quality over quantity: charity shopping might seem like a guilt-free way to spend, but you should still ask yourself how much you really want or need the item and whether you can truly afford it, rather than buying it just because it’s cheap.
- Look out for Charity Super.Mkt pop ups: you can visit multiple charity stores under one roof with Charity Super.Mkt, which organises charity department store pop ups. Its last venture, at the old Fenwicks building on Bond Street, attracted queues of second-hand bargain hunters.
- Think twice before haggling: you might be used to bidding for the best price on second-hand apps, but remember that whatever you spend in a charity shop is a donation to a good cause. We’d suggest only offering a lower price if you really can’t afford what the charity is charging or you have good reason to believe the item is overpriced.
Tips for donating to charity shops
- Sign up for GiftAid: this tax relief allows UK charities to reclaim an extra 25% in tax on every eligible donation made by a UK taxpayer – so it’s well worth signing up to, either when you’re in the store or before you visit.
- Donate by post: lots of charity shops allow you to donate by post and will even send you prepaid postage bags – so if a charity close to your heart doesn’t have a store near you, see if you can send in your donations.
- Check what charities want: some shops will be looking for specific items. It’s always best to call ahead and find out what they’re after or if there are any items they aren’t accepting.
- Organise a furniture collection: some furniture charity stores will pick up your donations, which may come in handy when moving house.
- Prep your donations: in terms of getting donations ready, Emily London says they should be in a good enough condition that you’d be happy to give them to a friend or family member. ‘Do give clothes a wash but don’t worry about ironing them because most charity shops will steam pieces before putting them onto the shop floor,’ she says.
- Don’t leave your donations outside if the shop is closed: ‘Charity shops get into all sorts of trouble with the council for that,’ Emily says.