Sweet charity

Since the economic downturn, the country’s 5,500 charity shops have become a magnet for cash-strapped consumers on the high street. Figures show their income has grown by 34 per cent in just the last year as people seek out bargain toys and clothes. But at the same time,  an argument rages over whether charity shops add retail value to a high street and some have suggested limits should be placed on their proliferation through less generous business rate relief.

This project will serve to explore this issue, by quantifying and measuring the actual economic and social value of charity shops within communities. 

As part of this project, researchers will construct a series of indicators to develop a measurement model. We will then combine quantitative analysis of consumer and retail trends in different local high streets across the country with qualitative insights gained from retail and regeneration experts, economists, leading charities in the charity retail sector, charity shop staff, managers, consumers and the wider public.

This analysis will establish what, exactly, charity shops add to an area’s economic regeneration and what impact they have on individuals and communities – from building skills among employees to creating local information hubs for customers.

 

The project is sponsored by The Charity Retail Association.

For further information, please contact jonathan.birdwell@demos.co.uk