SVP community shops see sales grow

Source: SVP

The average person in the UK throws away around 400kg of waste each year, according to a recent report by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). Add to that startling statistic the ever-present threat of economic decline in the age of Covid-19 and the rise of the charity shop on the high street makes perfect sense.

Charity shop sales grew by 3.2% year-on-year during the final three months of last year, according to the Charity Retail Association's quarterly market analysis report. In comparison, commercial retail continued to decline, at a rate of around 1% in the same period.

Since these figures were published, the country has experienced an unprecedented period of hardship with many families falling into poverty. Strict social distancing rules necessitated the closure of much of the high street, which, even after reopening, has continued to struggle.

The importance of charity shops to consumers and organisations seeking to offer support to the most vulnerable members of society has seen the St Vincent de Paul Society reopen its stores under strict government guidelines. The SVP operates community shops, which are charity shops with a community focus. The shops operate on multiple levels. Outwardly, the shops offer local residents the opportunity to purchase quality goods at vastly reduced prices, while supporting Vincentian work in the communities in which they are located. However, behind the headline value and good works, community shops are fuelling a revolution in eco-friendly buying and sustainability.

On September 24, the SVP opened its latest outlet at 550 Holloway Road, London N7, offering an array of goods at 'buy-me' prices. Proceeds from the shop enable the Society to support the local community, by giving assistance and support to people experiencing poverty, loneliness, homelessness, mental health problems or illness through the work of local volunteer befrienders

Holloway Road store manager, Jane London, says: "If you shop at St Vincent's or donate goods to us, you'll know that you're helping to support people in need in the community. But you'll also be indulging yourself with some stylish vintage fashion item or other affordable treats at the same time. It won't break the bank and you'll be helping others at the same time."

The reopening of the SVP's portfolio of around 40 community shops has not happened without due regard to the latest Covid-19 guidance. Staff at the new Holloway Road shop are going to great lengths to ensure customers are served in a safe, virus-free environment, with sanitiser points in key locations, regular deep cleaning of the branch and all employees wearing personal protective equipment.

The lockdown has also seen many households undertake decluttering, producing a deluge of donations, which requires sorting, thorough cleaning and quarantining for 48-72 hours before it can finally hit the retail floor for sale.

When the goods reach the shelves, they offer an ethical option for people who want value for money while reducing the impact their purchase makes on the environment. Shopping for used items promotes re-use and recycling, which helps to reduce the overall amount of waste ending up in landfill. Councils have to pay £91.35 in Landfill Tax for every tonne of waste dumped into the ground, so reducing the amount of waste destined for landfill frees up funds they can retain to spend on services for local residents instead. In 2018/19, 339,000 tonnes of textiles alone were kept out of landfill as a result of charity retail in the UK.

In the midst of the current economic downward spiral and pessimistic environmental predictions, community shops are a beacon of hope for our local communities. The argument of shopping locally, sustainably and ethically has never been clearer.

All profits from sales at St Vincent's shops help fund the SVP's charity work and are particularly crucial during the current coronavirus crisis, which has seen record numbers of people turn to charities for assistance.

LINKS

For more information about the SVP or to donate, go to www.svp.org.uk

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Tel: 020 7703 3030.