Oxfam, one of the UK's largest charity shop chains, has said it cannot guarantee the future of its high street stores as it reviews the operations of three warehouses in Batley, Bicester and Milton Keynes. The three sites together employ approximately 90 people.
The charity stated it "cannot give guarantees" on the future of its shops in a "difficult economic climate", with one insider telling the Guardian that donations have dropped off and that "Oxfam is always more expensive, and that's starting to have an effect".
Warehouse review and staffing impact
The warehouse review covers operations in Batley, Bicester and Milton Keynes. Oxfam said it keeps all parts of its retail operations under review via regular meetings, which it described as standard practice.
Lorna Fallon, chief supporter officer of Oxfam GB, said: "In [the last financial year], Oxfam GB's shops, warehouses and online retail teams generated a £6.3m (net) contribution to our humanitarian work, as well as raising dedicated funds through emergency appeals to support crises in Venezuela, the Middle East and Ukraine."
Retail performance and future plans
Fallon added: "While we cannot give guarantees in this difficult economic climate, we are confident in and positive about our current retail performance and do not have plans to close our shops or warehouses at this time."
She also highlighted that next month Oxfam's shops, warehouses and digital hubs will lead Second Hand September, an annual campaign aimed at tackling fashion's environmental damage while raising funds for global work on poverty and climate change.
Broader charity retail sector pressures
The news follows similar challenges across the charity retail sector. The British Heart Foundation (BHF) is planning to close around 150 shops over the next two years, proposing closures to ensure its shop network "remains commercially sustainable" to support fundraising efforts.
BHF chief executive Dr Charmaine Griffiths said the retail business is currently facing "an exceptionally challenging trading environment". The organisation attributed the proposals to rising operating costs and changing customer habits, which mean some stores "are no longer financially sustainable".
