By Renee Melia

Today Charity retailers consider themselves high street retailers as the standards of the shops have improved to attract buyers looking for a pocket-friendly second-hand piece of clothing and more. Chairperson of Charity Retail Ireland, Mark Sweeney explains the reasons behind the increases and confronts misconceptions surrounding charity retail.  

A common misconception about charity retailers is that it doesn’t pay rent or have the same overhead costs as other high street retailers, according to Mark Sweeney, Chairperson of Charity Retail Ireland, a representative body for charities that operate retail spaces for its charity on the island of Ireland.  

“Most charity shops will have a paid manager and/or deputy manage.  With the nature of volunteering, not as many people are interested in volunteering as once used to be. We do have to put in staff to ensure that the shops are run correctly,” he said.  

“We’re in a period where charity shops are trading very well, and that goes across the island,” Sweeney said.  

In 2022, clothing sales accounted for the biggest proportion of sales at 66% or 7.2 million garments sold according to Charity Retail impact report. The report stated clothing sales are expected to increase due a move to a more circular approach to fashion-giving clothes and materials a extended life. 

62,230 tonnes of carbon equivalent emissions were avoided through its members shops in 2022, stated the report.    

In 2023, almost half of Irish consumers report that they are either extremely (19%) or very concerned (26%) about their personal financial situation. Over three-quarters said that they changed their non-essential spending. 15% have stopped non-essential spending altogether according to PwC report Irish Consumer Insights Survey.  

Many Irish consumers are willing to pay a higher-than-average price for sustainable product types, despite Irish consumers not feeling confident in their financial situation at 77%.  

In an article by The Irish Times buyers of clothing in charity retail said they noticed the price increases within the stores. 

“We are there to raise money. And that’s why our pricing is reflective of that,” Sweeney said 

Staff at St Vincent De Paul and Oxfam have said that items are priced according to the material that it is made from and the brand. And within Oxfam the charity retail is open to negotiate prices with customers. 

“All charity shops sell really good value clothing. There are items in a charity shop, from trousers to jackets, to jumpers that are priced at a low price, that are affordable to all.  When a charity shop is donated a good piece of clothing, a high-end piece of clothing and designer piece of clothing, or a good high street piece of clothing. It is the charities job to ensure that they get the value for them. 

“Because somebody that donates to a charity or given something from their wardrobe in hopes that whatever they they’ve donated will raise funds for that charity. And the charities have an obligation to ensure that we price that correctly and we do price things correctly,” said Sweeney.  

Another misconception Sweeney points out about charity retail is, “that they’re mostly old, smelly, dusty and disorganised. They’re not.” He continues to add that nowadays someone shopping in a charity retail today will find “a much more organised and commercially viable retailer”.   

“There are over 500 charity shops on the island of Ireland, and we have been one of the biggest preserves of sustainability and circular fashion without even knowing it.  And my ask of people is to go back to our roots. Repair your clothing. Reuse your clothing. Recycle your clothes and give them a second life,” concluded Sweeney.