Cancer Research set to close 190 shops by April 2027

11 comments

1. “The prominent high street chain, which currently runs 519 branches nationwide, will determine which stores to close based on their financial contribution, lease terms, and geographical spread. These changes could jeopardise 600 staff jobs and roles for up to 3,000 volunteers”.

2. If “charity shops cutting stores” isn’t a recession indicator I don’t know what is

3. Holy hell that’s bleak. The rubble is literally burning down.

   Congrats to the Government raising taxes on employers for hiring staff.

4. “Many of the stores are predicted to become unprofitable” charity shouldn’t be about profit! Most don’t even pay a lease either …

5. People would earn decent money and give to charity.

   People are now struggling so nothing spare to give.

6. They don’t pay business rates so they don’t help fund council services, they “employ” volunteers and people on community service and sell a mixture of donated stock and purchased items. Pretty awful if they can’t make rent. If this lowers rents and reduces competition for normal small businesses it’s a good thing although I’m well aware they do good work and need donations, hopefully they can get those directly.

7. >In its accounts for the year ending March 2025, the charity reported an overall retail income of £120.8 million but associated costs of £120 million. The previous year, its retail operations generated £120 million with costs of £116 million.

   TBH this makes it sound like they should have packed it in years ago, you’d get better returns from an index fund

8. I gave one of my kids bikes to a charity shop, and they put it up for sale for £110. It cost me £180 brand new, absolutely scummy behaviour, trying to squeeze people with not much money. They’re not fit for purpose.

9. Maybe their CEO can take a paycut from the 280k annual and keep some open?

10. Cancer research are comparably priced to most retailers at this point. Selling a £60 jumper for £40 is what TKMAXX does, not what a charity shop should do.

    Its not like it costs them to get stock, sell more at cheaper prices and maybe you will do better.

11. I hate to say it as i know it’s over used but their prices should be more competitive as a lot of items being donated to charity are low value which don’t have value to be sold online. It’s bad case that they should make their money in volume rather than trying to get £3-10 for the average item.

    I know how much get donated and the vast majority of it never reaches the shop floor and it’s a case of wholesale value of rags, books, media collapsing whilst costs increased.

    But the only way to survive is through volume of sales and bringing people into the stores. Be more commercial offer buy 4 get one free, free book or DVD with every £5 spent etc. Give out vouchers to cancer patients to get them or their families attending stores – they’ll be more likely to support the charity, and it removes stock.

    Closing their online platform is insane as charities typically place any high value item online, and that usually results in a better return.

    Moving into larger stores is the right call though as you get operating efficiencies.

    When i go into their stores i just feel like there’s a lack of commercial awareness or drive and I’ve been on the other side of that till. Let staff be sale people rather than just a cashier.

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