Welcome
Connect to the world of charity retail.
Membership renewal time!
>> Renew your membership here
Make sure the Voice of Charity Retail continues to be heard
The CRA exists to protect the interests of charity
retailers in the face of issues such as challenging regulation and legislation from the
UK parliament, the devolved assemblies, local authorities and the EU.
We can only do that with our members' support and continued membership. In the past year we have had a string of successes because we are able to speak for the overwhelming majority of charity retailers in the UK.
- We ran a high profile media and lobbying campaign to ensure there would be no cap on rates relief for charity shops in the Mary Portas High Street Review.
- We defeated a proposal from the Accounting Standards Board for stock to be valued at the point of donation.
- We ensured that guidance issued to Local Authorities on house to house licensing did not disadvantage charities at the expense of commercial partnerships.
The coming year will see the roll-out of our National Stock Campaign urging the public to Choose Charity Shops. This will be the largest campaign of its kind we have ever run. On the political front, we will be working with other organisations on the review of the 2006 Charities Act. We will also continue talking to Government Ministers to see if we can cut down on costly Gift Aid administration and make it easier and cheaper.
>> Renew your membership here
Join the CRA
Join the Charity Retail Association today and benefit from our range of services. Find out how membership can benefit your charity ...
- Regular and valuable networking opportunities through meetings, interest groups and conferences
- Access to benchmarking and consumer reports
- Free legal, tax and security advice lines, and free online training in security and H&S
- Lobbying activity on key issues for the sector
- Being part of the THE code of conduct for charity retailing, encouraging good practice and public awareness
- Money saving opportunities
>> Read more about membership here
Downloads:
Application form (pdf)
Code of Charity Retailing (pdf)
Find a Charity Shop form
Charity Retail Conference
Monday 2 and Tuesday 3 July 2012
We are delighted to announce the date of our 2012 Charity Retail Conference, Exhibition and Awards. This sell-out, residential conference, allows delegates to learn and share ideas in practical focus sessions, be inspired by leading speakers and meet suppliers at our Exhibition. In the evening, delegates can network in a relaxed setting at our drinks reception, dinner and Awards ceremony.
This year’s Awards will be presented on Monday 2 July by Patrick Monahan, a comedian who recently won the ITV stand-up comedy contest Show Me The Funny, and is a regular performer at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
Booking opens in April, but you can get involved now by taking part in our Annual Awards 2012: The ONLY awards made specifically for charity retailing. Start to think about this now. Get your regional and shop managers involved at an early stage, ready for entry in March. Awards will include:
- Shop Team of the Year
- Retail Staff Member of the Year
- Volunteer of the year
- Young Volunteer of the Year
- Green Initiative Award
- Innovation in Charity Retailing Award
- Most Valuable Item donated
- Most Unusual Item donated
- Most Supportive Supplier to the Sector
- WOW! Factor Awards (best shop window and best interior)
Please do not hesitate to contact Cristina if you would like more information about entering the Awards at cristina@charityretail.org.uk or call 020 7255 4471.