Online secondhand platforms threaten traditional British charity shop profits

Published 11h ago · Latest report 1h ago · Economic report

Affects United Kingdom

AI summary38s readNegative

Online resale apps are undercutting British charity shops by drawing away top-tier clothing donations.

British charity shops face intense financial pressure as online secondhand marketplaces attract donors away from high street stores. Oxfam recently reported a 23% decline in retail profits down to £4.9 million. Charities now struggle to secure quality donations as consumers increasingly sell their best items on peer-to-peer websites.

The financial declineOxfam saw its retail profit drop from £6.4 million in the previous financial year down to £4.9 million.
The competitive pressurePlatforms such as Vinted and Depop have diverted valuable clothing donations directly to consumer-to-consumer sales.

Why it matters

Charity shops provide vital funding for charitable operations through the sale of donated goods on the high street. The rise of digital resale apps has fundamentally altered the secondhand clothing market, posing a structural threat to traditional fundraising models.

By the numbers3

23%fall in retail profit year on year

£4.9MOxfam retail profit in the last financial year

£6.4MOxfam retail profit in the previous financial year

How outlets cover it