The Future of Charity Shops: Exploring the Myths

Welcome to the Antiques Central blog. In this week’s blog, we’re turning our attention to charity shops — once bustling community hubs, now facing mounting challenges. Rising costs, excess donations of unsaleable items and competition from online reselling have all taken their toll. Yet, what sparks growing debate is the vast gulf between unpaid volunteers on the shop floor and the six-figure salaries enjoyed by some charity CEOs. It’s a contrast that raises serious questions about priorities, fairness and the future of the sector.

We can all agree that charity shops were once an important part of the local community, offering affordable goods and a place to give back. However, today, they face pressures they weren’t built to withstand—rising costs, selective donations, the impact of resellers, and an increasingly alienated customer base. So the question I’m asking you is, ‘will charity shops survive, or will they vanish from our streets entirely?’

In this blog, I’ll attempt to uncover the truth behind the myths and provide you with an opportunity to comment with your own thoughts and experiences.

Before that however, a quick request!

At the end of the blog, inspired by a comment on the previous charity shop YouTube video, I’m going to ask you a contentious question that will form the basis of our next blog and video, so stick with me to the end– trust me, you won’t want to miss out on this debate, it’s going to divide the community and you’ll be on one side of the debate or the other – no grey areas!

Right, housekeeping over- It’s important to point out at this stage that this blog is based entirely on the thousands of comments I received on my previous ‘charity shop’ YouTube video, all submitted by you, real shoppers, donors, shop managers and volunteers. Anyway, I’ve compiled the comments and done my best to analyse the common themes, as I think this topic is too important to just make a throwaway YouTube video and move on like a typical creator, without any reflection on viewer feedback and opinions. So, by identifying patterns in the commenter experiences—including rising prices, selective donation policies, operational strain, staffing pressures, CEO wages, business strategies and accessibility concerns—we can discuss not just the state of charity shops today but the forces shaping their future. The voices in these comments, ‘your voices’, perceptively reveal both the practical challenges and the deeper social consequences of what I believe is a worldwide cultural change taking place before our very eyes.

So, let’s start with the state of the nation, in other words the current charity landscape – which I’m calling- ‘A community under pressure’.

The theme in the comments is that charity shops, once a cornerstone of thrift and community support, are now teetering on the edge of crisis. Charity shops historically served a dual purpose: providing affordable, low-cost goods to those in need, while also funding the bigger picture in terms of charitable causes. Today, judging by the YouTube comments, this balance is under unprecedented strain.

Commenters consistently highlight that the essentials— which include clothing, shoes and household items—are increasingly priced beyond the reach of many of those individuals and families in genuine need of help. On the other hand, charity shops argue that inflation, rising rents, utility bills and operational costs have forced significant price increases. Even with partial business rate relief, many shops struggle to cover overheads while keeping stores attractive, organised and accessible- and one volunteer wrote: “We are constantly juggling space, staff, and stock. The ‘mission’ feels secondary to the bills.” Says a lot and therein lies the dichotomy- and it’s clear from the comments that shoppers feel the change- acutely.

One commenter shared: “I feel like the shops are no longer for us. They’ve become too expensive and too selective.” While on the other hand, the charity shops do their best to operate in increasingly competitive high street environment with ever increasing costs.

Judging by the comments, it became clear that this economic pressure is unevenly distributed- and what do I mean by that?

Well, shops in affluent areas for example may survive by targeting higher-paying customers, while those in let’s say, lower-income neighbourhoods, are increasingly unable to balance affordability with operational viability. This creates a fractured ecosystem where accessibility or profitability depends on location rather than need. So, charity shops, once vital community hubs providing affordable essentials and funding causes, are now under unprecedented strain. Rising prices driven by inflation, rents and operational costs are placing goods beyond the reach of those who need them most, while volunteers and staff struggle to keep the ‘mission’ alive. As a result, shoppers feel increasingly excluded and as we’ve said, economic pressures are unevenly distributed—shops in affluent areas thrive, while those in low-income neighbourhoods struggle to survive.

The result is a fractured, broken sector where access can depend on geography rather than need, threatening the very purpose of these once-inclusive institutions.

We also need to consider- the donation dilemma.

Without donations, charity shops cannot survive, it doesn’t take a brain surgeon to work that out— but we’re told by the charities that donations are changing in terms of volume, quality and selectivity and this is having a major effect on their operations.

It’s undeniably true that the amount and quality of donations appear to be changing. On one hand, they are increasing to the point where volunteers in the charity shops can’t cope with the volume and to make matters worse, they can be increasingly made up of little more than dirty clothing and broken or incomplete items. In other words, an overload of unsaleable, unwanted trash that should have gone to the landfill rather than the charity shop!

As we’ve said, donations are the lifeblood of charity shops. But as a result of excessive volume and unsaleable items, an emerging trend of selective refusal of items is becoming apparent, even when they are in perfect condition. Commenters described being turned away due to space limits or perceived resale value. This creates a self-reinforcing cycle: fewer donations reduce stock variety, which pushes prices higher, alienating both shoppers and donors from the very institutions they want to support! One commenter explained: “I brought in children’s winter coats in perfect condition, and they were refused. That coat could have helped a family, but it was turned away.”

So, the question we should be asking ourself is, what can be done about it?

Let me know what your solutions are in the comments below?

And as I’ve already mentioned, based on the comments, the quality of donations is visibly declining. The shop workers amongst us have pointed out that many donated items require cleaning, repair or assessment before sale. Naturally, with fewer volunteers, staff therefore prioritise items that will guarantee revenue, inevitably shifting the shop’s focus from community need to financial survival.

This social impact can extend beyond donated stock, to the shop staff themselves. Unsurprisingly, many people volunteer because they feel they are contributing directly to their community- and that fact came across loud and clear in the comments section. But when donation opportunities are limited, staff motivation declines, reducing volunteer engagement and putting additional strain on store logistics and operations. Some staff even mentioned that they now feel they are “maintaining a business’ rather than helping a local community institution based on charity.”

Are resellers a problem?

Controversially, resellers purchasing items to sell online emerged as a frequent complaint by both shop workers and shoppers. Commenters felt this practice undermines accessibility for those in need, pricing and the bigger picture charity mission. More of that particular ‘hot potato’ at the end of this blog!

On a more practical subject, some commenters pointed out limited clothing sizes and unsuitable stock on display, leaving low-income families unable to find what they need. I guess this is ironic in the face of donation refusals? So, donations—the beating heart of charity shops—are becoming a source of strain rather than support. Refusals, declining quality and choice and the rise of resellers willing to pay up to snap up the bargains, are pushing shops to prioritise profit over purpose, leaving volunteers disheartened, staff feeling like managers of a business and the families who rely on these stores increasingly excluded. In this toxic environment, the very mission of charity shops—to support and uplift the vulnerable and those in need—is therefore, being quietly compromised.

Now, we get on to what I think is the crux of the matter.

Pricing and accessibility – Who are charity shops really serving?

It’s fair to say that charity shops were once ‘equalisers’ on the high street, offering a retail opportunity for those most in need in our community—but it’s clear in the comments that rising prices are changing who they serve. Price increases are consistently highlighted in the comments. Shoes that once cost £5 now sell for £10–£15. Clothing, household goods and toys have seen similar pro rata rises and the consequences are profound!

Firstly, low-income households—the traditional customer base—are increasingly priced out. One commenter wrote: “I can’t afford even a simple pair of shoes in the charity shop anymore. It’s heartbreaking.” It was also pointed out that inconsistent pricing across stores and regions, contribute to a lack of trust- and as we all know trust can’t just be given, it has to be earned, so once trust breaks down, it’s a bumpy road to earn it back! The shops claim that economic pressures on the high street are the main driver for these factors: rising rent, utility costs, staff wages when applicable, and supply chain challenges leave few alternatives but to raise prices. Yet this presents an ethical dilemma: charity shops exist to support vulnerable communities, but it’s becoming apparent that in the real world, escalating costs exclude precisely the people they were designed to help. That can’t be right, can it?! Let me know your opinion in the comments below.

Secondly, social perception is affected. As shops price out traditional customers, they risk appearing elitist. Community trust erodes, donations in certain circumstances may even decline (although there’s not much evidence of that). In fact, quite the opposite- and the fundamental mission of charity shops—supporting the community—is heavily undermined.

Finally in this section, commenters point out that the smaller, independent charity shops may well struggle to survive compared to the large national chains, as they’re unable to absorb increasing costs or invest in time and staff to exploit online sales without substantially increasing their prices! So, this inequality differential that is apparent across both pricing and resources will inevitably further limit access to goods by those who need it. When you think about it, you can see the problem the shops have, particularly the small independent shops struggling to survive. However, whatever the reasons, rising prices are pushing low-income families to the brink—the very people charity shops were meant to serve. Coupled with rising costs, inconsistent pricing and the struggles of smaller high street shops, these pressures are eroding trust and undermining the very mission of charity shops as inclusive community spaces for those most in need.

Just think on that for a moment, how has it come to this? Let me know what you think.

But what about the operational struggles and staffing pressures experienced by charity shops?

If you read the comments from people who work in the charity shop sector, it’s clear that behind the counter, staff and volunteers face impossible expectations combined with shrinking resources. Volunteers form the backbone of charity shops, yet recruitment and retention are increasingly difficult. Commenters in the previous video have described how:

• Exhausted staff are juggling unsaleable donations, stocking the shelves, cleaning, and doing their best to deal with customers, often at the same time!

• They describe how operational pressure translate into slower service, longer restocking times, and reduced customer care.

• While paid staff are pressured to maintain profitability while upholding charitable standards—an inherently conflicting mission.

• Perhaps most importantly, how rising costs force charity shops to make difficult choices.

It’s clear for anyone to see that many are turning to more commercial strategies: selling higher-end or even new items, favouring online sales for their best stock or partnering with corporate sponsors.

Commenters who work in the shops also emphasised the loss of volunteer morale and social capital, especially inter-generational learning opportunities. More about that later in the blog.

While financially rational, these challenges risk transforming shops from community hubs into boutique retail operations that struggle to differentiate themselves on the high street from the traditional retail shops that surround them and smaller, independent shops feel this strain most. Unlike national chains, it’s harder for them to absorb costs or invest in online infrastructure, making them especially vulnerable to closure. This creates uneven access across communities and exacerbates inequalities that charity shops historically helped to reduce. Take a step back and think for a moment- how many local independent charity shops by you have closed down recently?

Well now, you just might have the answer why?

And now, the moment you’ve all been waiting for! Leadership, salaries, and the question of purpose.

Time and time again in the comments, one theme kept rising to the surface: Charity shops don’t feel like charities anymore—they feel like businesses run by fat cat CEOs- and what do I mean by that?”

The comments were striking.

People weren’t only frustrated by pricing. Many went further, questioning the very structure of the charities that run these shops- and time after time, commenters raised the issue of executive pay.

• Some expressed disbelief that chief executives of leading charities are paid six-figure sums, while the shops rely almost entirely on unpaid volunteers.

• Others said bluntly that they no longer donate goods—or money—because they feel their contributions are swallowed up at the top management level rather than directly reaching those in need.

• Perhaps most poignantly of all- volunteers themselves shared a sense of disillusionment: they give their time freely, sometimes even covering their own out-of-pocket costs and yet they see headlines of charity bosses earning salaries comparable to private sector executives!

This isn’t speculation—it’s backed not only by the data in the comments but also by research. According to figures from the Charity Commission and in a report by The Times, many of the UK’s largest charities pay their CEOs more than £100,000 per year, with some, according to the Times, exceeding £250,000 per year! Commenters repeatedly referenced this gulf between leadership pay and shop-floor struggle as evidence that charities are drifting toward corporate culture. The consequences, as reflected in the comments, are significant:

• Donor fatigue: people explicitly said they withhold donations because they do not want to subsidise what they see as inflated salaries.

• Shopper distrust: rising prices are harder to accept when people suspect money isn’t flowing back into charitable work.

• Volunteer frustration: unpaid staff report feeling like they are keeping a business afloat, not serving a mission of compassion.

What emerges is not just anger, but a complete erosion of trust!

Based on the comments, the very trust that once defined the charity sector is now wavering, and the public are asking a hard question:

“If charity shops are indistinguishable from commercial retailers in both pricing and structure, why should they continue to be supported as charities?'“

“Loss of trust is not abstract—it changes how communities respond, how they give and ultimately, whether the charity shops on our high street have a future at all?

So, the erosion of trust is clear: commenters repeatedly ask whether charity shops are indistinguishable from commercial retailers and whether public support is still justified and to me, that’s concerning!

And we can’t complete this video without exploring the impact on the community and the social consequences.

Therefore, we have to ask the question, as charity shops evolve—or decline, depending on your point of view— how is the social fabric of local community life affected? It’s true to say that charity shops have always been more than retail outlets; historically, they’ve also been community social spaces, particularly for the vulnerable and those in need. And let’s not forget, these shops are often staffed by seniors, so they can be an important social outlet for them, as well as a vital community resource. So, not only are they supposed to provide affordable goods, but they can also be volunteering opportunities that lead to essential human contact, connection and communication- and that’s something we all need in our lives!

But as prices rise, the donations of unsaleable items rise, and staffing pressures grow, these roles are rapidly eroding with the closure of more and more shops on the high street. Of course, low-income households will inevitably feel the impact the most. These families rely on affordable clothing, homeware, and winter essentials to get by.

• Losing access increases stress, exclusion, and social disconnection. One commenter reflected: “I used to feel part of something bigger when I shopped here. Now I feel excluded.” So, culturally, charity shops used to be a melting pot, blending people of all incomes and backgrounds, from the shop staff to customers and even those people who only use the shop as a space for social connection. But increasing commercialisation risks turning them into nothing more than exclusive venues selling unaffordable stock.

•  Social trust and communal goodwill—the invisible but critical value of these shops—may just disappear, quietly, before our very eyes.

•  Volunteering opportunities also diminish, reducing intergenerational interaction and the development of important social skills.

 And what do I mean by that?

Well, young volunteers learning from older mentors for example. It can be a subliminal process but it’s how knowledge and experience are passed on. It might be a subtle form of education but youngsters are losing an environment for growth.

 So, overall, what are we witnessing?

 In my opinion, we are watching the quiet erosion of the overwhelmingly good social capital charity shops once created. Once vibrant community hubs fostering connection, volunteering, and social cohesion, charity shops are rapidly losing these roles as prices rise and operational pressures mount. The quiet erosion of this social capital leaves vulnerable families and volunteers increasingly excluded, undermining the very reason they were originally founded around the turn of the 19th century.

What would those founders think now?

So, in the face of these undeniable challenges, will the future of charity shops be defined by adaptation—or disappearance. What exactly is their future, is it transformation or decline?

Based on your comments, three clear paths are emerging:

1. Modernisation: In other words, embracing digital sales, curating higher-quality stock or targeting paying customers. In this way, financial survival is possible but traditional shoppers and those in need may be alienated and accessibility will be definitely be compromised.

2. Decline: With unsaleable donations, high prices, a drop in volunteers and shoppers, despite the importance of the charity sector, many shops, particularly the small independent shops, may simply disappear from the high street.

3. Rewind: In other words, turning back the clock to lower prices and an emphasis on providing for those in need rather than the corporate fat cats. How feasible is this in the 21st century throw away economy and has this transition from community cornerstone to corporate entity now gone too far to reverse?

Either way, empty shelves and shuttered stores are increasingly visible.

There’s no doubt that innovation is essential: Yes, better quality donations, efficient processing, online marketplaces, strategic partnerships and targeted fundraising can help. Yet even with adaptation, affordability remains a risk. So, society needs to weigh the value of financial stability for the shops against the community impact should they disappear. It's my belief that the trajectory of charity shops reflects our priorities, all of our priorities. If we value accessibility, social cohesion, and charitable purpose, we must act now and with intention to preserve them. So, the huge question is, how do we do that, how do we instigate and achieve change for the better? I can’t realistically see charity shops suddenly reverting to 1990s prices, so what are the alternatives?

Let me know your suggestions in the comments below!

Having read your comments, I believe that charity shops are mirrors of our society, of our compassion and of the communities we inhabit.

It’s clear to see that charity shops are under threat from a convergence of economic pressures, operational strain and social change. What was once a seamless ecosystem—donors contributing quality items, volunteers maintaining operations, shoppers accessing essentials and charities funding vital causes—is beginning to, or has already has, unravelled.

And most important of all-

Consider those who rely on these shops: families on tight budgets, individuals seeking dignity through affordable goods, volunteers finding purpose in their lives and the community cohesion this provides. For these people and the community, charity shops are not optional—they are essential. And yet, rising prices and unsaleable donations are fraying or even cutting those high street lifelines. Even financially stable shops risk losing sight of their social function.  Efficiency cannot and will not ever replace accessibility and trust. Surely, when charity shops operate purely as retail outlets, the human fabric they once nurtured begins to break down?  Still, there is choice. Society can allow charity shops to become purely commercial operations—or it can act:

• Society can support innovation that preserves purpose,

• Society can engage in community initiatives,

•  Society can play its part in maintaining accessibility- if it has the will to do it!

 The stakes are high: Charity shops are symbols of dignity, compassion, and community. In my opinion, their survival and evolution reflect our collective values, wherever you live in the world. So, charity shops are not just about goods or money, they are about human dignity, community and empathy. If we fail to preserve them, we risk losing not just the shops themselves but the spaces where society demonstrates care, connection and compassion. The question is simple: will we let them vanish quietly from our high streets, like the local pub or the corner shop, or will we fight to keep them alive as testaments to the best of humanity? 

Let me know what you think in the comments below.

Before we finish, here is the question I want to ask you based on a comment I received on the last video.

“Charity shops have been watching the resellers and have worked out how to cut out the middleman and sell themselves. It’s the resellers who have caused this by mining the shops for years for ‘bargains’ that they then resell for large profits - they then started making YouTube and other media showing them doing it! The charities saw this and are now doing it themselves … “

So, there you have it!

Do you agree with this comment or do you have an alternative viewpoint?  Let me know in the comments below and remember, this website is a safe environment for everyone, regardless of opinion, so please keep your posts civil and constructive or they’ll be heading to the charity shop storeroom, never to be seen again! 

 My name’s Mark.

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