Turnover for charity shops.

[Paul57]

Hi people.

I'm hoping some of you may be willing to help. I'm after finding out monthly turnover for those of you who have a charity shop. Obviously before any deductions are made.

I've got to put together a presentation for a charities AGM based upon running a shop (which they are considering) and in the hopes of not frightening them off the idea I thought some figures from some of you who do run them may help them feel more at ease

Thanks in advance.
Paul

 

[ethical PR]

Unlikely to be people here who run a charity shop.

There is no 'average monthly turnover for a charity shop' just as there isn't with commercial retail premises.

You would need to carry out market research dependent on location, size, competition etc.

However why not contact charities who have shops in the area you are looking at and ask them. (but they may not be willing to share with their competition).

Have you spoken to these people ? https://www.charityretail.org.uk/

 

[Paul57]

I have contacted, however most are run by large organisations who don't give up rough figures that easily. I noticed a few posts on here from people who do run them... hence my market research here

And yes, no average turnover unless the shop gives an average, then there is an average, that's the beauty of averages

 

[billmccallum1957]

Most of the larger charity shop chains are selling a mix of donated and new goods, so its not easy to estimate turnover between the mix.

Most will turnover between £2000 and £3000 a week, smaller ventures might only do £1000 to £2000 a week.

Much depends on the level of support and the total donations you can get in, or having to buy in stock.

We run 2 shops (privately owned 2nd hand shops that support our local hospital) our total turnover is around £150,000, the larger shop takes between £1500 and £3000 a week, the smaller one £900 to £1200 a week.

We have two full time managers and three part time staff, so or wage bill is around £50,000+, rent & rates around £25,000, with other costs (transport etc) we end up with around £20,000 new profit.

 

[billmccallum1957]

Feel free to PM and I will pass on my phone number if you want to chat about it.

My wife has been in charity shop management for 20+ years and I have been involved with social enterprise & charities since the 90's.

 

[Mr D]

Before a physical charity shop it may be worth experimenting with a market stall.
Market managers may give discount / waive the rent for a one off though regulars may well pay full price.

 

[The next Steve Jobs]

I'll wager turnover is approx 1/3rd of a comercial shop

If the goods they sell are 1/3rd the price ... all else being equal


The bulk of goods sold will have been given to them free or otherwise sourced very cheaply, staff are often volunteers and there are numerous tax breaks.

In the absence of verifiable data 'common sense guestimates based on known factors' will get u into the ball park...online sales and passing on certain donated stock to comercial resellers are two other revenue streams.

Richer Sounds used to boast about having the highest turnover per sq ft


It's fairly easy to models business on paper, customers per hour, take per head etc...just a case of mapping it out using common sense really.

 

[Gecko001]

The OP it would appear sees this as a business venture for him/her to make an income for him/herself. Never mind the ethics of this, is it legal?

 

[Mr D]

The OP it would appear sees this as a business venture for him/her to make an income for him/herself. Never mind the ethics of this, is it legal?

Charity shop?
Yes its legal. Its not a charity, typically they do have some employed staff (shop manager etc). The profits are dealt with a bit different than a company but effectively a charity shop is separate from the charity.
Trading arm usually, to protect the charity and the shops.

 

[billmccallum1957]

Hi people.

I'm hoping some of you may be willing to help. I'm after finding out monthly turnover for those of you who have a charity shop. Obviously before any deductions are made.

I've got to put together a presentation for a charities AGM based upon running a shop (which they are considering) and in the hopes of not frightening them off the idea I thought some figures from some of you who do run them may help them feel more at ease

Thanks in advance.
Paul

The OP it would appear sees this as a business venture for him/her to make an income for him/herself. Never mind the ethics of this, is it legal?

If you read the OP, he is making a presentation to a charity AGM, nothing about business venture for him.

 

[Gecko001]

Charity shop?
Yes its legal. Its not a charity, typically they do have some employed staff (shop manager etc). The profits are dealt with a bit different than a company but effectively a charity shop is separate from the charity.
Trading arm usually, to protect the charity and the shops.

Thanks. I am just a bit naive. I thought they were actually run by a charity and staffed and managed by volunteers.

 

[Mr D]

Thanks. I am just a bit naive. I thought they were actually run by a charity and staffed and managed by volunteers.

They tend to be run by trading arm of charity, or a body set up to support a particular charity.
Disadvantage with volunteers is that can end up with a shop only open variable hours a week depending on volunteers schedules.
With paid staff - manager is most common - the shop can be open 5 days a week. Or more.

Charity shops don't always make money, they have most of the costs of a non charity shop plus limitations on what can be stocked. Sure, large chunk of the stock is given free, needs sorting and some of it chucked out (more cost) though some can be sorted to be sold on in bulk.

 

[billmccallum1957]

In general terms, charities are not allowed to trade, almost all national charities have separate limited companies that operate their shops.

I don't know any that are managed by volunteers, most will have a full time manager and part-time assistant, some have part-time till operators.

.

 

[Mr D]

In general terms, charities are not allowed to trade, almost all national charities have separate limited companies that operate their shops.

I don't know any that are managed by volunteers, most will have a full time manager and part-time assistant, some have part-time till operators.

.

Have only come across a couple managed by volunteers, tends to be quite active charities with tons of volunteers available during the day and limited funds - and on their first shop.
Don't recall coming across any who have done that for other shops or even after they can afford a manager.
It does save a considerable amount of money when they can do it. Just got the rent, the rates, utilities, rubbish collection, equipment, transport etc to pay for.