# Recession creates 'mini-boom' for charity shops, says Ecclesiastical Insurance

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2009/05/26/recession-creates-039miniboom039-charity-shops-says-ecclesiastical-insurance/
- Published: 2009-05-26T09:43:47+01:00
- Author: Howard Lake

![](https://www.fundraising.co.uk/files/images/news/Oxfam_charityshop_al_jordan_flickr_1243330956.
jpg)

A survey by specialist charity insurer Ecclesiastical Insurance indicates that the
recession has resulted in more people buying from charity shops, and more people
donating goods to them. Thirteen per cent of Britons have started shopping at charity
shops.

The survey reveals that 18% of existing charity shoppers are buying more from charity
shops than they did before the recession (two years ago), and 21% of adults have
begun to donate goods.

The survey was conducted by independent research company YouGov.

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According to the survey, women are more generous than men: 51% of the women questioned
were charity shop donors before the recession and an additional 23% have now started
donating.

The top five items that respondents who buy goods from charity shops look for are:

1. Books, which 65% purchase

2. Clothes (45%)

3. Household items (32%)

4. DVDs/videos (24%)

5. Music (15%)

Most of the respondents (66%) said that their main reason for shopping at charity
shops to support the charity, with low prices (47%) and value for money (44%) also
being important factors for many.

Despite the figures, Ecclesiastical acknowledge that charities themselves are reporting
a shortage of stock. Oxfam, which operates a chain of 714 shops nationally, is the
latest to express concern saying that [donations have fallen by 12% so far this year](https://www.fundraising.co.uk/donations-down-sales-oxfam-shops).

YouGov’s total sample size was 2,140 adults, with figures weighted to be representative
of all GB adults (aged 18+). Fieldwork was undertaken between 1 and 5 May 2009 with
the survey being carried out online.

www.ecclesiastical.com

Photo: An Oxfam charity shop by [Al Jordan](http://www.flickr.com/photos/aljordan/2747637777)
on Flickr.com

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