The British Heart Foundation (BHF) is to close around 150 of its charity shops – nearly a quarter of its 640 stores – after a review found some were “no longer financially sustainable” amid rising costs and changing shopping habits.
The closures will happen in two phases: about 90 stores by the end of March 2027, and the remaining affected stores by March 2028. The charity also plans to cut central teams that support its retail arm. It said the exact locations would be published on its website once affected colleagues had been informed.
“BHF to close 150 charity shops, a quarter of its estate, due to rising costs and changing habits.”
“Like most retailers, we are facing an exceptionally challenging trading environment,” said Dr Charmaine Griffiths, the BHF’s chief executive. “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 groundbreaking research.”
No single factor triggered the decision, the charity said, but rising operating costs and shifting customer habits – including reduced footfall and growing competition from online resale platforms – have squeezed margins. Many retailers have pointed to the impact of increased employer National Insurance contributions and higher minimum wages introduced last April.
The BHF stressed that its overall financial position “remains healthy”, with strong fundraising and legacy income. It will continue to operate a large network of shops as well as online channels including its own website and eBay, and said it would “continue to evolve retail operations to reflect changing customer shopping behaviours and donor habits”.
Chief Commercial Officer Allison Swaine-Hughes said: “Our success to date has been shaped by the dedication and contribution of our teams across the UK and this has been an incredibly difficult decision following a thorough and careful review. We recognise how challenging this will be especially for colleagues whose roles are affected and we are committed to supporting everyone impacted.”
Supporters will be able to shop and donate as normal while affected shops remain open. After closures, the BHF said it would continue to accept donations through nearby stores and its online channels.
The move echoes a similar decision by Cancer Research UK, which last year said it would close around 90 high street shops by May this year and up to 100 more by April 2027, while opening 12 out-of-town superstores. It cited “rising costs, inflationary pressures, and changing consumer habits – including reduced footfall, higher national insurance contributions, and growing competition from online resale platforms”.
Griffiths acknowledged the human cost of the closures. “Our shops mean so much to our colleagues, brilliant volunteers and communities across the UK,” she said. “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.”