The British Heart Foundation (BHF) is set to close around 150 of its charity shops over the next two financial years, as the charity battles soaring costs and a sharp plunge in retail profits that have left some stores no longer viable. The first wave of closures — approximately 90 stores — is expected by the end of March 2027, with the remainder shutting by March 2028.
The BHF, which currently operates between 640 and 700 shops across the UK, described the move as essential to keep its retail network “commercially sustainable” and protect the funding that flows into its research into cardiovascular disease. Chief executive Dr Charmaine Griffiths said the retail business is facing “an exceptionally challenging trading environment”.
Financial pressures behind the closures
The charity’s review of its shop network was prompted by rising operating costs and shifting consumer habits that have made certain stores “no longer financially sustainable”, the BHF said. Accounts for the 2024–25 financial year, according to the charity’s own data, show that annual retail costs rose by 5% to £230 million, up from £219 million the previous year. Over the same period the net profit from BHF shops collapsed to zero, compared with £15.2 million a year earlier. Income from its shops also fell by £4 million to £230 million.
The BHF attributed these pressures to wider inflationary forces, including increased staff pay and benefits, as well as the structural shift in consumer behaviour towards online retail and resale platforms such as eBay and Vinted. The charity said that while its overall financial position remains healthy — buoyed by strong fundraising and legacy income — the retail division has deteriorated significantly. In 2024–25, legacy donations totalled £108 million, while other fundraising soared by 22% to £58.2 million.
Alongside the store closures, the BHF will reduce its central teams and functions that support the retail division. The number of staff affected has not been disclosed, but the charity said it would support employees through consultation and redeployment opportunities where possible. Volunteers in affected stores will be offered alternative roles in nearby shops or elsewhere in the organisation.
A shifting retail landscape
The BHF’s announcement comes amid a wider period of churn on British high streets. According to analysis of Valuation Office Agency data by the tax firm Ryan, more than 6,000 retail premises have disappeared from communities across England and Wales in the last five years. However, the same data suggests the contraction may be stabilising. At the close of 2025 there were 507,810 retail premises in England and Wales, a net increase of 723 compared with the previous year, with an average of more than 13 new stores opening each week over the past 12 months.
This growth was recorded in every English region and in Wales, with the sole exception of the North West, which saw a decline of 41 properties. Ryan’s analysis indicated that parts of the retail sector are beginning to rebalance following the structural upheaval triggered by the pandemic.
Within the charity retail sector specifically, the BHF’s situation reflects broader difficulties. Other charities, including Barnardo’s, have also announced store closures. While the cost-of-living crisis and a growing appetite for vintage and pre-loved goods have boosted footfall and sales in some charity shops, the sector is also grappling with increased competition from resale platforms such as Vinted and Depop, rising costs, and the trend for consumers to sell items directly rather than donate them.
BHF’s overall mission and historical context
Despite the red ink in its retail accounts, the BHF emphasised that its core mission — funding research into cardiovascular disease — remains well-supported by non-retail income. The charity said it intends to continue investing more than £100 million annually in research. As of 31 March 2025, over £460 million of BHF-funded research was in progress.
The BHF opened its first shop in 1986 and by 2011 had reached its 700th store, becoming the UK’s largest charity retailer. In the 2010–11 financial year its shops generated a profit of £26 million. As of March 2025 the high-street portfolio stood at 665 shops, with 12 new stores having opened and 19 having closed during the preceding year.
The charity’s online channels, including its website and its eBay store — the largest charity retail operation on that platform globally — will not be affected by the closures. Donations can still be made through nearby shops, donation points, home collection services in some areas, and the post-to-donate option.
Dr Griffiths said: “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. 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.”
