The British Heart Foundation (BHF) announced plans to close approximately 150 of its charity shops and reduce staff numbers over the next two years as part of efforts to maintain the sustainability of its retail operations. The closures are scheduled in two phases, with around 90 shops set to shutter by the end of March 2025 and the remainder by March 2028.

The charity, which raises funds to support research into cardiovascular disease, cited an “exceptionally challenging trading environment” driven by rising operating costs and shifts in consumer behavior as the primary reasons for the decision. A review of the retail sector determined that some stores are no longer financially viable, prompting the need for consolidation.

Alongside the shop closures, the BHF plans to reduce the size of its central teams and support functions linked to the retail division, though it has not specified the total number of jobs that will be affected. The shops are operated by a combination of paid staff and volunteers, and the charity acknowledged the potential impact on both groups without providing exact figures.

Chief Executive Dr. Charmaine Griffiths emphasized the difficulty of the measures, stating that the organization is committed to sustaining retail’s vital role in funding its research. “We know this will be a difficult time for our dedicated colleagues and volunteers in affected stores,” she said. “But we must take the difficult step to sustain retail’s important contribution to funding BHF’s groundbreaking research.”

The move reflects broader challenges faced by charity retail operations amid increased costs and evolving market conditions, necessitating adjustments to ensure long-term financial health and continued support for charitable activities.