UK charities have warned that as online resale platforms such as Vinted and eBay grow in popularity, people are more inclined to sell high-quality clothing, causing a marked decline in the quality of donations received by charity shops. Research by financial firm Rathbones shows that two-fifths of charity leaders say the quality of donations has declined in recent years, with one-tenth describing the drop as significant.

The survey also found that half of donors admit the rise of online resale platforms has influenced their donating behavior. One-fifth of donors say they only donate clothes they cannot sell to charity shops, while nearly one-tenth have stopped donating altogether and simply sell their unused items online. However, not all charities face this dilemma: one-fifth say the quality of donations they have received in recent years has actually improved.

Rathbones data shows that UK charity shops generate about £300 million in profit for charitable causes each year, employ nearly 25,000 staff, and have more than 223,500 volunteers. Charities director David Cox noted that charity shops are an important source of income for many charities, and changes in the quality or quantity of donations can have knock-on effects. "It's understandable that people want to sell high-value items online, especially when household finances are under pressure, but the research also shows the impact on charity retail. The good news is that online selling and charitable giving are not mutually exclusive: people can donate a portion of their resale proceeds, use platforms' donation features, or continue donating clothes that can still be resold," he said.

The research comes as the UK charity retail sector faces challenges. Due to rising costs and falling income, several organizations have been forced to adjust their operations. In June this year, the British Heart Foundation announced it would close 150 stores over the next two years, citing increased costs and changing customer habits; this week, Garden House Hospice Care also announced the closure of its stores in Fairfield, Bedfordshire, and Hitchin, Hertfordshire, saying that despite efforts to improve performance through investment, marketing, and price reviews, these stores still face financial difficulties. In addition, data from the Charity Retail Association three years ago showed that one-third of charity shops faced volunteer shortages, and nearly a quarter had staffing challenges.

Source: Exclusive: Rise of Vinted has seen quality of charity shop donations plummet · Originally published on 2026-08-28