UK charity shops sell 151% more online

Charity shops in the United Kingdom are looking more and more at e-commerce. This happened after losing thousands of euros of income during the lockdowns. The number of items sold online by British charity shops has increased by 151% between February and July of this year.

There is an increasing number of companies in the UK that sell second-hand goods online. These sellers are usually found on the high street, but are now taking their business online. They need to do something to make money ever since the COVID-19 restrictions left stores closed.

The British Red Cross, Sue Ryder, Barnardo’s and the British Heart Foundation were some of the organizations that put the donations they received in their physical stores up for sale online.

Most e-commerce sales took place on eBay

The number of items sold online by these companies has increased by 151% within the six months. Most of these e-commerce sales took place on eBay. Not only because of its major reach, but also because charities usually do not pay fees. eBay waives 100% of the basic selling fees so sales proceeds directly benefit the organization in the form of unrestricted funds.

During these months, popular product categories sold by charity shops in the UK are pet supplies, baby products, and sports memorabilia.

Losing €39,000 of income

The Charity Retail Association represents about 400 charities running thousands of shops. The association has calculated that the average charity shop lost about €39,000 of income during the lockdown. Between December last year and April of this year.