Charity shops 'more important amid Covid-19 pandemic', survey finds

Shoppers believe that charity retail is vital to the UK’s recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic by helping people save money and support good causes, a survey has found.

Just under a third (29%) of UK adults believe charity shops are more important to society amid the health crisis than before, and 40% believe that being sustainable and thinking about the environment when they shop is more important.

Around three quarters (71%) of those surveyed believe charity shops provide affordable items to those with financial issues.

A similar proportion (68%) say they think charity ships are important to raise funds for good causes at a time of high demand for voluntary sector services.

There is also support for the volunteering aspect of charity shops, with four in ten saying they provide jobs and volunteering opportunities during the crisis.

The survey was carried out in June for the British Heart Foundation (BHF) by Censuswide.



Last month the BHF announced it would begin reopening its stores that had been forced to close during Covid-19 lockdown.

“This pandemic has been devastating for so many of us and the reopening of charity shops is going to be vital for millions as we look to recover,” said BHF retail director Allison Swaine-Hughes.

“Charity shops provide high quality items at affordable prices, power charitable services that have never been more in demand, reuse thousands of tonnes of items and provide a community space for so many volunteers and customers.

“Every pound raised in our shops helps us to support the 7.4 million people in the UK living with heart and circulatory diseases, many of whom are at increased risk from Covid-19.”

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