| Charity Shop |
Article Index for Charity |
Website Links For Charity |
Information AboutCharity Shop |
| CATEGORIES ABOUT CHARITY SHOP | |
| retailers | |
| charities | |
| the salvation army | |
| waste collection | |
| social economy | |
|
A charity shop, '''hospice shop''', '''second-hand store''' ( U.K. ), '''thrift shop''', '''thrift store''', '''hospice shop''' ( U.S. , Canada ), '''resale shop''' (when not meaning Consignment shop (U.S.)), or '''op shop''' ( Australia / N.Z. , from ''opportunity shop'') is a Retail establishment operated by a Charitable Organization for the purpose of fundraising. Charity shops are a type of Social Enterprise . They usually sell mainly Second-hand goods Donated by members of the public, and are often staffed by Volunteer s. Because the items for sale were obtained for free, and business costs are low, the items can be sold at very low prices. After costs are paid, all remaining income from the sales is used in accord with the organization's stated charitable purpose. Costs include purchase and/or depreciation of fixtures (clothing racks, bookshelves, counters, etc.), operating costs (maintenance, municipal service fees, electricity, telephone, limited advertising) and the building lease or mortgage. POPULARITY OF CHARITY SHOPS Charity shops are often popular with people who are Frugal , people who live on a limited or ''fixed'' income, collectors, and people with unusual tastes. This last group includes members of various Subculture s. For example, Clothing from charity stores was often modified by early Punk rockers. In The United States shopping at a thrift store has become popular enough to earn a slang term, Thrifting . Environmentalists may prefer buying Second Hand goods as this uses fewer resources and may do less damage to the environment than by buying new goods. In addition, reusing second hand items is another form of recycling, and thus reduces the amount of waste going to Landfill sites. Also, people who oppose Sweat Shops often purchase second hand clothing as an alternative to supporting clothing companies with whose practices they have ethical concerns. NEW GOODS SOLD AT CHARITY SHOPS Some charity shops also sell a limited range of new goods which may be branded to the charity, or have some connection with the cause the charity supports. Oxfam stores, for example, sell Fair Trade food and crafts. Other stores may sell new Halloween supplies and decorations where old vintage clothes are popular for use as costumes. Some stores specialise in selling books, music, or bridalwear. Charity shops may receive overstock or obsolete goods from local for-profit businesses; the for-profit businesses benefit by taking a tax write-off and clearing unwanted goods from their store. HISTORY OF CHARITY SHOPS In the U.S., many thrift shops are operated by churches. Some of these shops are fundraising venues that support missionary activities in other countries. Other of these shops are themselves missionary outreach centers. The first Oxfam charity shop in the United Kingdom was established in Broad Street, Oxford , and began trading in December 1947 (although the shop itself did not open until February 1948). Oxfam opened some of the first charity shops. However, predating this, one of the first Red Cross shops was opened at 17 Old Bond Street, London, as early as 1941. In total over two hundred “permanent” (for the duration of the war) Red Cross gift shops and about 150 temporary Red Cross shops were opened during the war years. A condition of the shop licence issued by the Board of Trade was that all goods offered for sale were gifts. Purchase for re-sale was forbidden. The entire proceeds from sales had to be passed to the Duke of Gloucester’s Red Cross and St John Fund. Most premises were lent free of rent and in some cases owners also met the costs of heating and lighting. During World War I similar fundraising activities occurred such as a bazaar in Shepherd’s Market, London which made £50,000 for the Red Cross. UNITED KINGDOM CHARITY SHOPS Oxfam has the largest number of charity shops in the UK with over 800 stores. Many Oxfam shops also sell books, and the organization now operate over 70 specialist Oxfam Bookshop s, making them the largest retailer of second-hand books in Britain. Oxfam also have overseas stores, in Jersey , Germany , Ireland , the Netherlands and Hong Kong . Other charities with a strong presence on high streets in the UK include Age Concern , Cancer Research UK , Help The Aged , Save The Children , Scope and Sue Ryder . Many local Hospice s also operate charity shops to raise funds. Gift Aid is a UK tax incentive for individual donors where, subject to a signed declaration being held by the charity, income tax paid on donations can be reclaimed by the charity. Although initially intended only for cash donations, the scheme now (since 2006) allows tax on the income earned by charity shops acting as agent for the donor to be reclaimed. HMRC Gift Aid SEE ALSO
NOTES EXTERNAL LINKS
|
|
|