What’s in store for charity shops?

As eBay and Done Deal grab a greater share of the second hand market, charity shops are upping their game and reminding customers that donated items are sold for good causes, not just for profit, reports Liz Dunphy.

Charity shops may look like magical rabbit warrens full of other people’s treasures, but behind the busy window displays, an even busier world thrives driven by the demands faced by all retail businesses.

Stock must be curated and displayed to tempt shoppers, customers must be cared for, and rosters and staff personalities must be managed with extra diplomacy as many of them turn up on a voluntary basis, and therefore cannot be cajoled by the lure of a paycheck.