Save the Children charity shops saw profits rise by almost a third to £2.7 million in 2019, helping the charity continue vital work for many of the world’s most vulnerable children.

End of year figures show a 32% increase in profit compared with 2018, bucking the broad high street trend in a difficult year for retail.

Last year also marked the most successful year to date for sales of new goods in the charity’s shops, which soared by 36%, and its most successful year for online sales.

Ian Matthews, the Trading Director of Save the Children, said:

Save the Children’s retail performance in 2019 was significantly more impressive as it came against a backdrop of changes in the direction of our retail strategy.

It had been a challenging few years for charity shops, and we’ve had to change our focus in response to difficult trading conditions. Our new-look shops are designed to offer a boutique shopping experience to encourage people to look at second-hand goods in a new light. Recent performance shows what a great opportunity we have to help consumers make ethical shopping choices without compromising on style!

We recognise that consumers are increasingly seeking more sustainable shopping opportunities and we’re delighted to see shoppers looking to our stores to provide these environmentally friendly options.

Last year saw efforts to increase Save the Children’s volunteer recruitment and major refits of shops in Sidmouth, Glasgow and Chester. The new-look shops, designed to reflect the local community and change traditional views of charity shops, saw sales growth in all three stores.

Anyone interested in joining a team at one of Save the Children’s charity shops can find out more at www.savethechildren.org.uk/how-you-can-help/volunteer

Image credit: Save the Children

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