Get the Most From Your Leftover Budget with Charity Retail Learning


At this time of year, you can find yourself with a bit of money left in your expenditure budgets.

Sometimes it’s because you’ve managed to get better deals than you’d hoped. Other times planned and budgeted-for work just hasn’t happened.  That may be because of things like time pressures and staff shortages – or just dealing wit those curve balls that can come out of the blue in our sector.

Well, here’s the good news. We have a way that you can put that underspend to good use – and will reap rewards for you well into the future.

With over 3000 total learners benefiting from CRL courses in 2023, and we’d love you to be part of the 2024 Charity Retail Learning family! Visit Charity Retail Learning to view all we have to offer.

Invest in your team

Investing in your team is always a good move. Motivating, upskilling, valuing and supporting staff and volunteers through training opportunities is a massive factor in any charity retailer’s success. And Charity Retail Learning can help provide you with all of that.

Here’s how:

  • All our content is completely focused on charity retail, making the training relevant and resonant from the outset
  • Our team support you every step of the way, making signing up and managing your team’s training quick and easy
  • It’s simple to access, with our click-through courses all accessible from a laptop, tablet or phone
  • Our Subscription offer gives your whole team of staff and volunteers access to all of our content at a massive discount
  • Individual courses start at just £25 plus VAT, making them affordable for every charity.
  • We provide reports for you to see how your team is progressing – and certificates for every learner when they pass their course

Our learners love our courses!

We’ve supported thousands of charity retailers through their learning with us. Here’s what some of them have to say:

“Excellent course and tutor, information was so relevant and helpful”

“This is a very informative course, and even though I’ve been involved with Gift Aid for some time I learnt some golden nuggets of information. The pitch and pace were excellent”

“Tutor was amazing – didn’t bombard me with info but made sure I knew all the relevant stuff – and also gave me a chance to do exercises based on my own shop”

“This course is so informative, gives a clear overview, offers best practice, and really gets you thinking differently about how to approach your work.”

Keeping it simple 

Because we’re charity retailers, we understand the challenges and restrictions you can face in so many areas of your work. So we’ve designed our services to be as easy as possible for everyone involved.

Whether you’re a Head of Retail wanting to upskill your team, a Learning & Development lead looking for relevant and great value training, or a Shop Manager taking a course in the back room of your shop – you can relax and let us sort it all out for you.

To find out more about Charity Retail Learning and how we can help you make the most of your underspend – or to plan for the coming year – drop us an email or visit our website.

We’re looking forward to hearing from you!

 

More About Us

The Charity Retail Consultancy helps charity retailers and other non-profits be their brilliant best.

Charity Retail Learning provides online & face to face training developed by charity retailers, for charity retailers. We work in partnership with the Charity Retail Association to deliver training to their members and beyond.

The Charity Retail Coach – Dan O’Driscoll offers a first class executive coaching service

The Charity Retail Merchandiser – Kat Maclennan helps you create stunning and profitable displays in store and online

To find out more or to speak to us about how we can help you, please get in touch:

hello@thecharityretailconsultancy.co.uk

Jayne – 07598 243210

Vicki – 07985 574904

Follow us on social media:

Bridging the Gap: Advocating for VAT Reform in Charity Retail and Circular Communities






This is a guest post by
Billy Farrell,
Assistant Director of Retail at Chest, Heart & Stroke Scotland

 

In the journey towards sustainable living and environmental stewardship, the mantra of Reduce, Reuse, Recycle serves as our guiding light. Yet, amidst our efforts to repurpose goods and foster circularity, an unexpected obstacle emerges: Value Added Tax (VAT) regulations.

While upcycling remains zero-rated VAT, the transformation of items into new purposes often triggers VAT obligations, hindering the endeavours of charity shops, independent small makers, and Community Interest Companies (CICs) across the UK.

Repurposing, as a precursor to recycling, holds immense potential in fostering circularity within communities, particularly in Scotland. By prioritising repurposing before recycling, Circular Communities Scotland and Zero Waste Scotland advocate for a more sustainable approach to consumption and waste management. Repurposing not only diverts items from landfills but also conserves resources by extending product lifespan.

Members of Stitch the Gap

Unsung Heroes of the Stitch the Gap team

However, the imposition of VAT on repurposed goods poses a significant challenge to realising this vision. Activities such as painting a wardrobe remain zero-rated VAT, yet repurposing endeavours like transforming a shirt into a cushion cover suddenly incur VAT obligations. This regulatory hurdle stifles innovation and undermines the economic viability of repurposing initiatives, hindering progress towards circularity and environmental stewardship.

Charity shops emerge as unsung heroes in this narrative, serving as vital conduits for repurposing and reuse. Operating a network of forty shops across Scotland, Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland is deeply committed to promoting sustainability and circularity. Collaborations with entities like Stitch the Gap, a CIC specialising in repurposing donated linen into tote bags, exemplify their dedication to sustainable practices.

By providing a platform for pre-loved items to find new homes, charity shops contribute significantly to waste diversion and sustainable consumption practices. Yet, the VAT framework threatens to impede their efforts to repurpose goods effectively, limiting the impact of their sustainability initiatives.

To overcome these barriers, concerted action is necessary. Circular Communities Scotland and the Charity Retail Association, representing charity shop leaders and lobbying government respectively, must advocate for VAT reform. Aligning VAT policies with circular economy principles and providing exemptions or incentives for repurposing activities can foster innovation and bolster circular communities.

In conclusion, by addressing VAT challenges, we can unlock the full potential of repurposing and create a more sustainable and resilient future for Scotland and beyond. Let us unite in advocating for VAT reform, bridging the gap between charity retail and circular communities, and paving the way towards a greener, more sustainable world.

Group holding a Chest, Heart & Stroke Scotland Poster: No Life Half Lived

More About Us

The Charity Retail Consultancy helps charity retailers and other non-profits be their brilliant best.

Charity Retail Learning provides online & face to face training developed by charity retailers, for charity retailers. We work in partnership with the Charity Retail Association to deliver training to their members and beyond.

The Charity Retail Coach – Dan O’Driscoll offers a first class executive coaching service

The Charity Retail Merchandiser – Kat Maclennan helps you create stunning and profitable displays in store and online

To find out more or to speak to us about how we can help you, please get in touch:

hello@thecharityretailconsultancy.co.uk

Jayne – 07598 243210

Vicki – 07985 574904

Follow us on social media:

Charity Retail News Round-Up – week commencing 06.11.23


Each week we share with you our pick of the best stories on charity retail, shopping secondhand and the circular economy from the UK, Ireland and around the world.

We also  add links to relevant Charity Retail Learning courses associated with each article to help you implement some of the ideas we’re sharing

You can subscribe to our blog to find out every time we post – and we share these round ups every Wednesday on our website, LinkedIn and Facebook

Here’s our pick from the past 7 days


Charity Super.Mkt

The Charity Super.Mkt is returning to London with a new pop-up shop over the holiday season. The roaring success of the project has helped promote a new kind of multi-store charity shop for the modern shopper.

Charity Super.Mkt to open West London pop up | UK Fundraising

 

London isn’t getting all the love as the Charity Super.Mkt has also spread to Manchester establishing the area’s first department charity shop! It has been wonderful watching this project grow and spread and we hope to continue to see it’s success and everything it means for our industry

Manchester department charity shop Charity Super.Mkt is massive success | I Love Manchester

 

Recommended Course:

Planning & Running a Charity Pop-up Shop – Charity Retail Learning


Charity Shopping & Cost of Living

As the cost of living crisis continues and we move ever closer to Christmas, more and more people are finding Charity Shopping as a good way to save some cash. Both of the following articles explore the trends of shoppers and the movement towards charity shops, featuring our friends from Mind and the CRA.

Shoppers turning to charity shops due to the cost-of-living crisis, research suggests | Civil Society  

Charity urges people to shop second hand this Christmas to save money | Nation.Cymru


 

Christmas Visual Merchandising

Christmas in charity shops is always a special and exciting time. But do you know how to really make an impact to ensure all your party outfits, decorations, gifts and seasonal items make as much money as possible for your charity?

It’s important to plan how your shop will be merchandised so you maximise sales. In this 90-minute session Kat will take you through the key areas to focus on and provide visual merchandising tips and ideas to create exciting festive displays.

Read more


Communities Make Charities, Charities Make Communities

An amazing story from St Barnabas Hospice in Lincolnshire raising £6500! A fantastic example of how engaging with the community and holding in store events can produce great results.

Sustainable Shoppers Raise Over £6,500 For Hospice Care In Lincolnshire | Charity Today News

 

Another example of a successful local event in store, from St Wilfrid’s Hospice.

Chichester hospice celebrates second hand fashion by hosting their own charity shop fashion show | Sussex Express

 

Recommended Course:

Charity retail community engagement – events, social media & telling your story – Charity Retail Learning


Ultimate Guide To Charity Shopping

Top tips for charity shop shopping – why not share your thoughts with your customers via blogs, social media, and press releases. Reaching new audiences and communties online

The ultimate guide to charity shopping | Happiful


More About Us

The Charity Retail Consultancy helps charity retailers and other non-profits be their brilliant best.

Charity Retail Learning provides online & face to face training developed by charity retailers, for charity retailers. We work in partnership with the Charity Retail Association to deliver training to their members and beyond.

The Charity Retail Coach – Dan O’Driscoll offers a first class executive coaching service

The Charity Retail Merchandiser – Kat Maclennan helps you create stunning and profitable displays in store and online

To find out more or to speak to us about how we can help you, please get in touch:

hello@thecharityretailconsultancy.co.uk

Jayne – 07598 243210

Vicki – 07985 574904

Follow us on social media:

Charity Retail News Round-Up – week commencing 30.10.23


We’re back! After a really busy summer we’re back with our weekly charity retail news round-up for you. Here we share our pick of the best, most interesting and inspiring stories from our sector, in the UK, Ireland and the rest of the world.

You can subscribe to our blog to find out every time we post – and we share these round ups every Wednesday on our website, LinkedIn and Facebook

We hope you enjoy them.


Charity Shop Impact

A brand new report comissioned by the CRA has found that the Charity Retail sector contributes a whopping £75.3 billion of social value last year! The report also found that for every pound invested in charity retail operations generated over £7 in social value. The report highlights the massive role Charity Retail plays in our soceities and all the great work being achieved.

 

Charity shops have positive impact on wellbeing valued at £75.3 Billion, new study finds | Charity Retail Association


Prince of Wales Renovations

Our good friends at Prince of Wales Hospice are underway renovating their amazing Pontefract store. The store will be a one of a kind three-in-one shop, with sections for retro, vintage, and urban clothing. We can’t wait to see how it turns out and look forward to experiencing it first-hand in our Mystery Shopper service

Prince of Wales Hospice shops undergo refresh and renovation | Wakefield Express

 

Revamp your charity shop with our CRL course: Visual Merchandising


Secondhand Sales Gain Momentum

This new report has taken a look into the trends for second hand sales in Charity Shops and beyond. Initiiatives like these are instrumental to building the sector and understanding the trends of wider society

UK Resale 2023 | Insider Intelligence Trends, Forecasts & Statistics

 

Sell beyond brick and mortar by bringing your retail operation online: Introduction to eCommerceg


Subscription Offer

Gain full access to all of our amazing courses and get a place on any live webinar every year!

Take control of you and your colleagues learning with a full subscription to CRL, with unlimited access to all current and future courses.

Get in touch for a no obligation quote or visit the cost calculator on our website


P/reloved Initiative

Congratulations to Emmaus Preston for the fantastic artist Joseph Doubtfire for the great success of their Endever Festival and preloved artworks. Events like these are a massive part of connecting with your local community.

Celebration for Emmaus Charity Artist in Residence for Encounter Festival | Preston City Council

 

Build strong ties with your local community through CRL: Charity retail Community Engagement – events, social media & telling your story


Secondhand Menswear Boom

British Heart Foundation has found a massive 35% in the sale of secondhand menswear last year. Love Island star Dr Brett Staniland has teamed up with BHF as a Retail Ambassador help continue the great progress made so far

Menswear flying off the shelves in charity shops as second hand movement gains traction in UK | Retail Technology Innovation Hub

 

Learn how you can contrinute to the secondhand clothing boost: Introduction to selling on Depop


30 Years in Retail

A fantastic lookback at 30 years of retail at Florence Nightingale Hospice Charity. This quick Q&A gives amazing insight into how much things have changed in the last 30 years and future of charity retail. Here’s to 30 more!

30 Years in Retail, A FNHC Q&A Review with Lily Caswell | Florence Nightingale Hospice Charity


More About Us

The Charity Retail Consultancy helps charity retailers and other non-profits be their brilliant best.

Charity Retail Learning provides online & face to face training developed by charity retailers, for charity retailers. We work in partnership with the Charity Retail Association to deliver training to their members and beyond.

The Charity Retail Coach – Dan O’Driscoll offers a first class executive coaching service

The Charity Retail Marketeer – we can support you with all your charity’s marketing needs

The Charity Retail Merchandiser – Kat Maclennan helps you create stunning and profitable displays in store and online

To find out more or to speak to us about how we can help you, please get in touch:

hello@thecharityretailconsultancy.co.uk

Jayne – 07598 243210

Vicki – 07985 574904

Follow us on social media:

 

How can I improve charity retail recruitment, retention and performance?


The current success we’re seeing across charity retail is brilliant news.

But despite this, recruitment and retention remain a massive challenge, with stores sometimes being forced to close due to lack of staff and volunteers.

So how do we make sure we can build – and keep – the right team to make sure we’re taking advantage of the hugely buoyant market?

Invest in your team

Retail teams are often overlooked when it comes to learning and development. Mandatory training can be all that’s on offer – and frequently this is aimed at non-retailers, therefore limiting it’s resonance and impact.

We see this as a missed opportunity – and a disservice to your retail teams. Investing in them by providing relevant and engaging training can help improve recruitment, motivation and retention.

How Learning & Development can help

Making good choices about investment your teams when planning budgets is essential. Take a look at these statistics:

  • 94% of employees say that they would be more willing to stay in a corporation that invests into employee training and development.
  • 86% of millennials would remain at their job if offered better training & development courses
  • Companies that offer professional development opportunities have 34% higher retention rates
  • Companies providing comprehensive training programmes have a 218% higher income per employee than those that invest less*

Charity Retail Learning Subscription – a simple, effective solution

Charity Retail Learning is a joint venture between 2 trusted sector organisations – the Charity Retail Association and The Charity Retail Consultancy, and is the UK’s only sector specific, online and face to face training provider.

Created by and for charity retailers, our courses are highly rated by learners, simple to access and great value.

With prices from just £252 plus VAT per shop per year, our subscription offer gives you everything you need for your team’s learning and development:

Features

  • Unlimited access to 30+ courses and webinars for all staff and starters
  • Includes new courses and webinars
  • Account management set-up and support
  • Choice of 1,2 and 3 year options with just one annual payment
  • Training provided by sector leading experts

Benefits

  • SAVE up to 71% on pay as you go prices
  • Impact – complete training solution & support
  • Ease – minimal administration and easy trainee access
  • Flexibility – teams and individuals can select the courses and timings to suit their needs
  • Support – your own dedicated account manager and 24/7 access to all reports
  • Charity retail focus – content that engages, upskills and inspires your retail team

How can I find out more? 

To find out more, book a no obligation chat with us today by calling Vicki on 07985 574904 or email hello@thecharityretailacademy.co.uk

Or you can get a bespoke quote using our easy cost calculator

We can also support you with creating a business case to support your investment if needed – and at no extra cost.  So when you’re setting your budgets for 2024/25 don’t forget – investing in your team really is money well spent.

*Sources: LinkedIn; Better Buys Professional Development Report; Growth Engineering

More About Us

The Charity Retail Consultancy helps charity retailers and other non-profits be their brilliant best.

Charity Retail Learning provides online & face to face training developed by charity retailers, for charity retailers. We work in partnership with the Charity Retail Association to deliver training to their members and beyond.

The Charity Retail Coach – Dan O’Driscoll offers a first class executive coaching service

The Charity Retail Merchandiser – Kat Maclennan helps you create stunning and profitable displays in store and online

To find out more or to speak to us about how we can help you, please get in touch:

hello@thecharityretailconsultancy.co.uk

Jayne – 07598 243210

Vicki – 07985 574904

Follow us on social media:

 

The Charity Retail Conference 2023 – an amazing couple of days


We’re just home from the Charity Retail Conference in Harrogate. We’re still feeling the energy, excitement and love for preloved that was palpable over the two days.

What an event! We never stopped chatting to all the amazing folk there….so much so that Vicki even lost her voice – and we’re definitely not used to her being quiet!  🤣

For us, the highs were:

💚 How positive everyone felt about how our amazing sector is performing just now. Preloved is definitely top of the sustainability agenda and as a sector we’re all stepping up to meet the new demand and keep ahead of the game.

💚 Hearing the fabulous stories of the award winners – hands up everyone who quickly wiped away a tear when the Young Volunteer Award was announced….. 🙋‍♀️🙋‍♂️.

💚 Seeing the amazing reaction to our Charity Retail Learning subscription package. Partnering with the Charity Retail Association to help inspire and upskill retail teams makes us so proud – and we were delighted that so many of you wanted to sign up for a subscription.

CRL subscription package flyer 2023

💚 Attending our good friend Ngozi Lyn Cole’s EDI session. Creating an inclusive sector is all our responsibility and we’re proud to work with Ngozi on this journey.

💚 Going to the Thriftify pre-conference evening and hearing from influencers about their take on preloved, sustainable fashion. They are the future and we love them! (And PS, how AMAZING was Emily from Thriftify’s orange dress?! 😍)

💚 Seeing our I Charity Shops Pride badges being worn with pride all around the Conference.  And if you haven’t already done it – why not enter your shops’ displays into our Pride Display competition?  We’re posting videos of entries every week until the closing date on our YouTube channel so make sure you check them out. 

💚 Seeing all our old friends and making new ones.

Our sector is a wonderful thing – and Conference is always a brilliant place to celebrate that. Thank you to the CRA team for pulling off yet another first rate event, to all those we spoke with that visited our stands, to the people who came along to our sessions – and just to charity retail for being such an important part of our – and so many others – lives for such a long time.

Here’s to 2024!

 

More About Us

The Charity Retail Consultancy helps charity retailers and other non-profits be their brilliant best.

Charity Retail Learning provides online & face to face training developed by charity retailers, for charity retailers. We work in partnership with the Charity Retail Association to deliver training to their members and beyond.

The Charity Retail Coach – Dan O’Driscoll offers a first class executive coaching service

The Charity Retail Marketeer – Julian Temblett can support you with all your charity’s marketing needs

The Charity Retail Merchandiser – Kat Maclennan helps you create stunning and profitable displays in store and online

To find out more or to speak to us about how we can help you, please get in touch:

hello@thecharityretailconsultancy.co.uk

Jayne – 07598 243210

Vicki – 07985 574904

Follow us on social media:

 

Charity Retail Conference 2023 – are you as excited as we are?


Here at The Consultancy we’re getting very excited for the 2023 Charity Retail Association conference in Harrogate.

We’ve got new stands, new activities (including a free Lucky Dip – who doesn’t love one of those?!) and even some new people coming along with us.

So to help you get to know us better, we’re each sharing our answers to 3 Very Important Questions:

1 What’s your favourite thing about charity retail?

2. What’s the best thing you ever bought from a charity shop (online or bricks & mortar)?

3. What are you most excited about for the future of charity retail? 

Here we go…..

 

Jayne (Founder & Director & Co-Founder of Charity Retail Learning)

Favourite thing:

Charity shops are all about goodness – good for the planet, good for the pocket, good for a vibrant high street, good for the community, and good for the parent charity. Seriously, what’s not to love?!

Best buy:

My Stella McCartney Adidas trainers, from RSPCA Glossop for £10! I wear them all the time.

Future:

The sector is awash with opportunities and possibilities. Sales and profits are better than ever, and there is more appetite for innovation. What I love most in my role at The Charity Retail Consultancy is highlighting local and broader opportunities to our lovely clients and helping make them a reality.

 

Vicki (Senior Consultant & Co-Founder of Charity Retail Learning)

Favourite thing:

I love the creativity, and that everything about it is good – it’s sustainable, provides fabulous volunteering and employment opportunities, helps maintain lively and diverse high streets, engages with the community and raises millions of pounds for lots of fantastic causes.

Best buy:

My big Burberry scarf – from Martin House Wetherby shop. Bought over the phone after they shared it on their Facebook page. I live 300 miles away and they posted it to me. Fantastic service and I’ve worn it every winter (and some summers!) for the past 5 years!

Future:

Seeing young people engage more with the sector. I can’t wait to see what their energy and passion for the planet brings.

 

Diane (Associate Consultant)

Favourite thing:

The people, the sector community and that working within is helping make the world a better place.

Best buy:

A lovely gold framed mirror.

Future:

Constantly evolving, learning and as it becomes more on trend, the better we and the planet will be.

 

Julian  (The Charity Retail Marketeer)

Favourite thing:

The positive contribution to society in so many ways

Best buy:

A table from our local Emmaus that my wife Suzy upcycled

Future:

Where Gen Z, who love preloved, will take the sector in the future

 

Amelia (Engagement Associate)

Favourite thing:

The community that each store establishes. The charm of the crowd that charity retail attracts, from the local shoppers to the volunteers, all of whom are there to support an invaluable charity, creates a sense of community and kindness which is hard to come by in any other area of retail.

Best buy:

My trusty pair of Birkenstock clogs!

Future:

I’m excited for the future of charity retail’s clear social and environmental benefits as a result of its sustainability. Charity retail is at the heart of the sustainable fight for climate justice, as a result of its promotion of re-using and recycling puts sustainability over micro-trends and over consumption.

 

So there you have it – a team full of love for the sector and optimism for the future.

And if you want to join in,  Amelia will be roving with her camera phone over the 2 days, asking you the same three questions. We’d love hear your thoughts – and then share them on our You Tube channel over the coming weeks.

Looking forward to seeing you all there!

Find The Charity Retail Consultancy on Stand 30 and Charity Retail Learning with the Charity Retail Association stand

More About Us

The Charity Retail Consultancy helps charity retailers and other non-profits be their brilliant best.

Charity Retail Learning provides online & face to face training developed by charity retailers, for charity retailers. We work in partnership with the Charity Retail Association to deliver training to their members and beyond.

The Charity Retail Coach – Dan O’Driscoll offers a first class executive coaching service

The Charity Retail Marketeer – Julian Temblett can support you with all your charity’s marketing needs

The Charity Retail Merchandiser – Kat Maclennan helps you create stunning and profitable displays in store and online

To find out more or to speak to us about how we can help you, please get in touch:

hello@thecharityretailconsultancy.co.uk

Jayne – 07598 243210

Vicki – 07985 574904

Follow us on social media:

 

 

 

Charity Retail News Round-Up – week commencing 29.05.23


Each week we share with you our pick of the best stories on charity retail, shopping secondhand and the circular economy from the UK, Ireland and around the world.

We also  add links to relevant Charity Retail Learning courses associated with each article to help you implement some of the ideas we’re sharing

Here’s our pick from the past 7 days


It’s all happening at the Charity Retail Association!

Two really important bits of news from our chums at the CRA this week. Firstly – have you booked your conference place yet? It’s always a fantastic event and well worth attending. Places can be booked via the link. 

We’ll be there with stands from the Consultancy and Charity Retail Learning, alongside lots of other fabulous exhibitors with exciting and helpful products for you and your retail operation. 

Charity Retail Conference 2023 | Charity Retail Association

 

And – even more excitingly (if that’s even possible!) – the shortlist for the Charity Retail Awards was announced this week. 

There’s some amazing people and organisations in there – congratulations to all those who’ve been shortlisted.  And a special shout out to all our friends and clients in the list:  Caroline Peach & St Barnabas Hospice, Charlotte Greenwood & Isabel Hospice,Susan Cooper from Highland Hospice,Chris White & NCBI, Oxfam,Derwen College,Alan Haynes from All Aboard,Liz Booyse from City Hospice, The Air Ambulance Service, St Giles Hospice and Debra. Good luck everyone!

Charity Retail Awards shortlist 2023 | Charity Retail Association


Price of Vintage survey needs you!

Dr Esther Pugh from Leeds Beckett University is researching pricing in vintage stores. If you sell vintage in your operation and can spare a few minutes, she’d love your input. The survey is here 

‘The Price of Vintage’ – Developing a Framework for the Pricing of Vintage Clothing


Community welcomes Salvation Army superstore

How lovely to read all the positive messages around a new Satcol donation centre in Stoke. A far cry from the days when charity shops were lumped in with bookmakers and pawn shops as an unwelcome presence on the high street.  We wish the Salvation Army well with their new store. 

Charity shop set to open on Stoke-on-Trent retail park | Stoke-on-Trent Live


Young Lives vs Cancer to close its retail operation

We were sad to read this news this week. We send our best to all the Young Lives vs Cancer staff and volunteers affected by the closure and hope you find new roles within the many other fabulous charities operating in the south west.

Charity shops bear cost of living brunt as 13 branches axed | Devon Live


News from Australia

Good news for Victoria charity shops as Government backs down on tax

The decision from the Victoria Government not to apply a waste levy on charity shops in the state is good news all round, and an acknowledgement of the important role charity shops play in the circular economy

A relief for charity shops | Berwick Star News


Volunteer with Vinnies Victoria!

We loved this wee volunteering video from Vinnies Victoriadiverse, upbeat and a simple yet strong message.  Video is a great way to get your message across. 

Vinnies Victoria Volunteering | Linkedin

Can giant charity shops stop fast fashion in its tracks? | The Big Issue


Pride Competition announced

Details of this year’s Pride display competition were announced this week. We loved your displays so much last year, we just knew we had to do it again! All the details are in the link – and if you’re looking for inspiration, our 2 for 1 offer means our Inclusion & Engagement VM webinar later this month is the place to go. 

Get ready for the charity retail Pride display competition 2023! | The Charity Retail Consultancy

Welcome all! Using Visual merchandising to drive inclusivity and community engagement through Pride month and beyond | Charity Retail Learning


More About Us

The Charity Retail Consultancy helps charity retailers and other non-profits be their brilliant best.

Charity Retail Learning provides online & face to face training developed by charity retailers, for charity retailers. We work in partnership with the Charity Retail Association to deliver training to their members and beyond.

The Charity Retail Coach – Dan O’Driscoll offers a first class executive coaching service

The Charity Retail Marketeer – Julian Temblett can support you with all your charity’s marketing needs

The Charity Retail Merchandiser – Kat Maclennan helps you create stunning and profitable displays in store and online

To find out more or to speak to us about how we can help you, please get in touch:

hello@thecharityretailconsultancy.co.uk

Jayne – 07598 243210

Vicki – 07985 574904

Follow us on social media:

Charity Retail News Round-Up – week commencing 01.05.23


Each week we share with you our pick of the best stories on charity retail, shopping secondhand and the circular economy from the UK, Ireland and around the world.

We also  add links to relevant Charity Retail Learning courses associated with each article to help you implement some of the ideas we’re sharing

Here’s our pick from the past 7 days


Pride Competition announced

Details of this year’s Pride display competition were announced this week. We loved your displays so much last year, we just knew we had to do it again! All the details are in the link – and if you’re looking for inspiration, our 2 for 1 offer means our Inclusion & Engagement VM webinar later this month is the place to go. 

Get ready for the charity retail Pride display competition 2023! | The Charity Retail Consultancy

Welcome all! Using Visual merchandising to drive inclusivity and community engagement through Pride month and beyond – 18.5.23 | Charity Retail Learning


Secondhand market predictions

An interesting read from Thredup and the US, with lots of good links too. Lots of focus on commercial partnerships and not a mention of thrift shops! We need to make sure as a sector we hold our space. 

ThredUp CEO on Resale Economy: ‘Math Says This Stuff Is Super Hard’ | Yahoo


“How to break up with fast fashion” author, Lauren Bravo, sings the praises of charity shops

After 5 years volunteering with Crisis and a lifelong love of secondhand, Lauren Bravo tells us why she believes charity shops are he romantic heroes of the high street 

Why charity shops are the romantic heroes of the high street | Evening Standard


An eco-friendly Coronation party – courtesy of your local charity shops!

Some great tips here for making sure there’s as little waste as possible during the weekend’s celebrations. Good to share with your customers.

Top tips for making your Jubilee party eco-friendly (lancashire.gov.uk)


You never know what you might find….

How lovely is this story, about a rowing club trophy found in the RSPCA Burton shop? Everyone’s a winner! 

Man astonished at history behind £10 ‘jug’ bought from Burton charity shop – Staffordshire Live (staffordshire-live.co.uk)


More About Us

The Charity Retail Consultancy helps charity retailers and other non-profits be their brilliant best.

Charity Retail Learning provides online & face to face training developed by charity retailers, for charity retailers. We work in partnership with the Charity Retail Association to deliver training to their members and beyond.

The Charity Retail Coach – Dan O’Driscoll offers a first class executive coaching service

The Charity Retail Marketeer – Julian Temblett can support you with all your charity’s marketing needs

The Charity Retail Merchandiser – Kat Maclennan helps you create stunning and profitable displays in store and online

To find out more or to speak to us about how we can help you, please get in touch:

hello@thecharityretailconsultancy.co.uk

Jayne – 07598 243210

Vicki – 07985 574904

Follow us on social media:

Get ready for the charity retail Pride display competition 2023!


After the fantastic response to our Pride display competition last year, we’re thrilled to let you know that we’re running it once again in 2023.

Over June and July, we’re looking forward to seeing the best of charity retail, with colourful, inclusive displays celebrating all things Pride.

Pics L to R: Sue Ryder, Keighley, Prince of Wales Hospice, Kippax,  British Red Cross, Canterbury

You can email us pictures of your displays – both windows and in-store – between June 1st and July 21st to hello@thecharityretailconsultancy.co.uk 

We’ll announce our winners on Wednesday 26th July.

 

Pics L to R: Devon Air Ambulance, Cowick St, Barnardo’s Vintage, Cheadle

Prizes will include a beautiful, stained glass Pride hanger for your shop window, training vouchers and other Pride goodies.

To help you deliver the best display you can, our wonderful VM expert and competition judge, Kat Maclennan is running a webinar on May 18th – Welcome All! Using VM to drive inclusivity and engagement through Pride month and beyond.

Places on the webinar are Buy One Get One Free too, so at just £25 pp plus VAT it’s not to be missed!  You can book your place here.

Pics L to R: Hobart City Mission, Moonah, St Peter’s Hospice, Stoke Lane

We can’t wait to see your proud and fantastic creations!

 

(Main image is last year’s winner – Barnardo’s Marchant City, Glasgow)

More About Us

The Charity Retail Consultancy helps charity retailers and other non-profits be their brilliant best.

Charity Retail Learning provides online & face to face training developed by charity retailers, for charity retailers. We work in partnership with the Charity Retail Association to deliver training to their members and beyond.

The Charity Retail Coach – Dan O’Driscoll offers a first class executive coaching service

The Charity Retail Marketeer – Julian Temblett can support you with all your charity’s marketing needs

The Charity Retail Merchandiser – Kat Maclennan helps you create stunning and profitable displays in store and online

To find out more or to speak to us about how we can help you, please get in touch:

hello@thecharityretailconsultancy.co.uk

Jayne – 07598 243210

Vicki – 07985 574904

Follow us on social media:

 

 

 

 

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