Londoners are snapping up bargains at charity shops. Oxfam reported a 20 million pound profit from sales across its network of 714 shops last year. Cancer Research UK has embarked on a campaign to bring in more donations for stock as shelves emptying quickly at its 100 London shops.
Stuart Fowkes, spokesman for Oxfam, said: “We don't have any figures for London shops specifically at this stage, but in total last year we saw a 20 million pound profit from our stores, including our online store.”
Shopping Cancer Research UK launched a campaign fronted by celebrities Tara Palmer Tomkinson and Olympian Mark Foster to encourage people to “donate unwanted goods to stock-starved Cancer Research UK shops”.
When The London File visited the charity shops, they were teeming with people looking for a bargain. The manager of a Cancer Research UK store said that sales are up. At the Oxfam store on Islington's busy Upper Street it was the same scene, with shoppers browsing through the racks and shelves in search of a good buy.
Nelloi Herasme, store manager of the Oxfam Angel store said: “Sales are up by 20 to 25 percent and donations are up too. More people are buying and more people are donating as well.”
Yoan Strabech, a volunteer sales assistant echoed her agreement: “As you can see, the shops are crowded and sales are up.”
Anna Rodriguez, an 18-year-old student and Cancer Research UK member, said after dropping off two bags of donations at their Angel store: “I don’t shop at charity shops but I do my part by donating.”
S. Khan, a teacher, shops at charity shops regularly saying: “I love a good buy. At the same time, I am helping the charity and people out.”
Bilal, who works for a telephone company, shopping at Oxfam’s Angle store said: “Shopping here is good value for money, especially for people like me who are on an economical budget. And I do donate mostly clothes as well."
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