# Charity shops more important for society than ever following Covid-19

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2020/08/10/charity-shops-more-important-for-society-than-ever-following-covid-19/
- Published: 2020-08-10T07:23:38+01:00
- Author: Melanie May

**Almost a third of people, 29%, think charity shops are more important than ever
following the Covid-19 crisis, research conducted for British Heart Foundation has
found.**

 

[Censuswide](https://censuswide.com/) questioned over 2000 consumers in June and
also found out that of those who think charity shops have become more important,
almost three quarters (71%) say it is because charity shops provide affordable items
to those with financial concerns, while 68% say it is because they raise funds for
charitable causes at a time many of these causes are in high demand.

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In addition, over half (55%) say charity shops are vital because they prevent items
from being thrown away, and 42% say they provide jobs and volunteering opportunities
in community at a time the UK is facing recession. 40% also think that being sustainable
and thinking about the environment when they shop is more important than before 
the pandemic.

 

Younger people in particular say they are more likely to use charity shops after
the pandemic than before, at almost a fifth (19%) of respondents aged 25-34 compared
to 6% of those aged 55+.

 

The same proportion of respondents aged 16-24 also strongly agree that being sustainable
and thinking about the environment when they shop is more important than before 
the pandemic.

 

Allison Swaine-Hughes, [BHF](https://www.bhf.org.uk/) Retail Director, said:

 

> “This pandemic has been devastating for so many of us and the reopening of charity
> shops is going to be vital for millions as we look to recover. Charity shops provide
> high quality items at affordable prices, power charitable services that have never
> been more in demand, reuse thousands of tonnes of items and provide a community
> space for so many volunteers and customers.”
> “Every pound raised in our shops helps us to support the 7.4 million people in
> the UK living with heart and circulatory diseases, many of whom are at increased
> risk from Covid-19. Shopping at the BHF will help us, help them.”

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