IRHH shops ranked fifth in national survey
Our highly successful chain of charity shops has been ranked the fifth most profitable in a national survey of charity shops run by hospices.
The 2009 survey by the business magazine Charity Finance covers almost the whole UK charity shop sector, which includes more than 5,000 shops. T he IRHH retail chain was ranked fifth most profitable out of 37 retail chains run by hospice charities. IRHH has nine shops in Herts and Bucks and also trades on eBay. Together, these outlets achieved a profit margin of 43.9 per cent, considerably better than some of the big nationally known chains.
IRHH head of Retail & Trading Lesley Blencowe said: "This is a fantastic achievement and a recognition of the incredibly hard work put in by our shop teams. Each shop has a paid manager, but we have around 330 volunteers who keep the whole enterprise running. Without them, it just wouldn't happen. It is also testament to the terrific support of our customers, who donate and buy goods every week of the year.
"Sales cover a mix of goods. One of our larger shops, at Princes Risborough, does well with big items such as furniture, but the shop in Tring High Street, which is quite small, generates a similar income mainly from lots of smaller goods such as clothing."
Sales of Christmas cards were also particularly successful last year. The IRHH shops came seventh in the Charity Finance national survey, achieving 6.4 per cent of the charity's retail income through card sales. This year's cards are already selling well. "We have 170,000 packs to sell, through our shops, mail order and at outside events," said Lesley.
Sales of particularly valuable items on eBay are also boosting the charity's income. "We sell china, photographic equipment - any good quality items that we think will fetch a good price online," said Lesley. "The best to date is £979 for a 1930s FA Cup Final programme, with ticket stub."
There has been a lot of talk of charities struggling for donations in the current economic climate, but Iain Rennie shops are still being well supported by the local community. "We have just had the best summer for donations I can remember." said Lesley. "We always welcome donations of saleable, good-quality items, and by signing a Gift Aid form when you donate your goods you can enable us to claim even more money for the charity from the government."
IRHH shops are at Warners End and Bennettsgate (Hemel Hempstead), Tring (one general and one bookshop), Little Chalfont, Beaconsfield , Princes Risborough, High Wycombe and Flackwell Heath. A new one will be opening in Holmer Green, near High Wycombe , early next year.
Anyone interested in volunteering at one of the Iain Rennie shops should contact Rozina Ahmad on 01494 877200, email rahmad@irhh.org
28th October 2009
