2025/26 has been a challenging year for a lot of charities. Despite income still slowly increasing against those bumper figures we saw a year or two ago – continuing pressure on expenditure, and the seemingly endless juggling to get the right people in the right place to keep shops trading at their best can be a real test. So, thinking ahead to 26/27, what is the best way to rise to these challenges?
Invest in your team
Through our many years working within the sector, we know that recruiting and retaining the best people is the key to success. And yet so often, retail staff are not given the support and development opportunities they need.
When, more often than not, shops are the first place that the public – all potential supporters – engage with your charity, it seems neglectful at least not to offer your shop teams the training and support they need to maximise those opportunities.
Not only will this ensure that sales and profit are maximised from each store, but also that the first impression of your charity for the public is a lasting and meaningful one.
Charity Retail Learning Subscription – a simple, effective solution
Charity Retail Learning is a joint venture between 2 trusted sector organisations – the Charity Retail Association and The Charity Retail Consultancy, and is the UK’s only sector specific, online and face to face training provider.
Created by and for charity retailers, our courses are highly rated by learners, simple to access and great value.
We’ve held our initial prices for 3 years now – and continue to do so, as we understand the financial pressures charities are facing.
Subscription prices start from an incredible £252 plus VAT per shop per year, for a package that gives you everything you need for your team’s learning and development.
Features
- Unlimited access to 45+ courses and webinars for all staff, volunteers and any new starters
- Includes future courses and webinars
- Account management set-up and support
- Choice of 1,2 and 3 year options with just one annual payment
- Training provided by sector leading experts
Benefits
- SAVE up to 78% on pay as you go prices
- Impact – complete training solution & support
- Ease – minimal administration and easy trainee access
- Flexibility – teams and individuals can select the courses and timings to suit their needs
- Support – your own dedicated account manager and 24/7 access to all reports
- Charity retail focus – content that engages, upskills and inspires your retail team
How Learning & Development can help
Making good choices about investment your teams when planning budgets is essential. Take a look at these statistics:
- 94% of employees say that they would be more willing to stay in a corporation that invests into employee training and development.
- 86% of millennials would remain at their job if offered better training & development courses
- Companies that offer professional development opportunities have 34% higher retention rates
- Companies providing comprehensive training programmes have a 218% higher income per employee than those that invest less*
How can I find out more?
To find out more, book a no obligation chat with us today by calling Vicki on 07985 574904 or email hello@thecharityretailacademy.co.uk
Or you can get a bespoke quote using our easy cost calculator
We can also support you with creating a business case to support your investment if needed – and at no extra cost. So when you’re setting your budgets for 2026/27 don’t forget – investing in your team really is money well spent.
*Sources: LinkedIn; Better Buys Professional Development Report; Growth Engineering
