British Heart Foundation to close 150 charity shops amid retail slump

The British Heart Foundation (BHF) will close about 150 shops over the next two financial years because some of its stores are "no longer financially sustainable".

About 90 stores will close by the end of March 2027, and the remainder by March 2028, and there will also be a reduction in the charity's central team supporting the retail operation, the BHF said.

The announcement on Friday came after a detailed review of its retail operations, as the organisation said it deals with rising operating costs and changing customer habits.

BHF chief executive Dr Charmaine Griffiths said its shops were facing an "exceptionally challenging trading environment" and the changes were designed to ensure its shop network "remains commercially sustainable".

Dr Griffiths added: "Our shops mean so much to our colleagues, brilliant volunteers and communities across the UK. They are places where people come together to donate, shop and volunteer, helping to make a real difference to lives affected by cardiovascular disease.

"We know this will be a difficult time for our dedicated colleagues and volunteers in affected stores and emphasise our deep appreciation and gratitude for all they have done for BHF and the communities they serve."

BHF said it would continue to operate its large network of shops and online retail platforms, including through its website and eBay, and would "reflect changing customer shopping behaviours and donor habits in the years ahead".

It added that despite the pressures its "overall financial position remains healthy".

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Dr Griffiths added: "Cardiovascular disease remains one of the UK's biggest killers and our priority is funding research to save lives.

"We must take the difficult step to close some of our shops to sustain retail's important contribution to funding BHF's ground breaking research."

Allison Swaine-Hughes, BHF chief commercial officer, said: "We must act now to ensure a sustainable future for BHF retail.

"Change is essential so we can continue to serve communities across the UK and raise the funds that power our lifesaving research.

"This is about protecting our mission for the long term, even when the decisions in the shorter term are hard."

The BHF said it would share the locations of the shops earmarked for closure on its website this financial year after the workers affected by the closures have been notified.

(c) Sky News 2026: British Heart Foundation to close 150 charity shops amid retail slump