As charity retailers face growing pressure to secure stock and maintain their presence on UK High Streets, Evri and Scope have launched a series of new initiatives designed to make donating easier than ever.

The partnership will include a nationwide donation-by-post service, which will be made available through 12,500+ Evri ParcelShops and locker locations, alongside what is believed to be the UK’s first parcel locker installed inside a charity shop.

New ways to attract stock

“Charity shops are an important part of our High Streets and communities, but like all retailers they need new ways to attract stock and engage supporters,” Jonathan Bennett, Director of Marketing at Evri Group, commented.

Last year, the Charity Retail Association said that charity shops faced pressures as consumers turned to the convenience of online second-hand selling platforms, like Vinted and Depop, in making money from unwanted goods, which might otherwise have been donated to charities.

The Mirror reported that five of the UK’s biggest charity shop operators, including Barnado’s and Scope, which together represent ~3,000 stores, faced profit declines of 40% last year.

Robin Osterley, CEO of the Charity Retail Association, said online re-sale platforms were “having an impact” but said this was “not affecting the quantity of items” but the quality of those items donated, which was feeding through into resale value and margin.

Powering charity donations driven by convenience

Research shows that almost half (46%) of consumers would be more likely to donate to charity if they can use parcel lockers, underlining the potential to unlock more donations by providing the public with choice.

In a bid to mirror the convenience of online and following a successful trial last year, Evri and Scope will relaunch a nationwide donation-by-post campaign. This aims to make it easier for people to donate items without visiting a store. Evri will also install what its says is the UK’s first parcel locker inside a charity shop at Scope’s Doncaster store.

Additionally, consumers will be able to send pre-loved items directly to Scope free of charge via more than 12,500 Evri ParcelShops and lockers across the UK, including locations such as Post Office branches, Asda stores and thousands of lockers.

“This is an incredibly exciting opportunity for Scope,” said its Head of Retail, Debbie Boylen. She added that Evri’s “vast network of drop off locations means so many more people have the opportunity to donate at a time and location convenient to them, 24 hours a day.”

Bennett added that “by combining convenience, accessibility and innovation, we’re helping more pre-loved items find a second life while supporting Scope’s vital work.”