What is a Charity Shop Outlet?
A charity shop outlet is a large-format charity retail store where donated items are sold at very low prices, often to clear surplus stock from smaller charity shops. Outlet stores usually receive unsold, excess, or bulk donations from across a charity's network and sell them at reduced prices to maximise revenue and prevent waste.
Charity shop outlets help charities move large volumes of donated goods quickly, keep items out of landfill and offer shoppers extremely affordable second-hand options. They are similar to outlet stores in mainstream retail, but focused entirely on donated goods.
Charity Shop Outlet Meaning
A charity shop outlet is a large, discounted charity retail store that sells surplus, unsold or bulk donated goods at very low prices to help charities clear stock and reduce waste.
These shops are ideal for bargain hunters, resellers and anyone who loves second-hand shopping.
Why Charity Shop Outlets Exist
Charity shop outlets help charities handle the high volume of donations they receive. Not all items can be displayed in small high street charity shops because of space limitations or stock rotations.
Outlet stores allow charities to:
sell items they cannot fit on the shop floor
clear seasonal or slow-moving stock
avoid unnecessary disposal or textile waste
raise more money from donated goods
keep prices low for cost-conscious shoppers
They are a practical solution for managing large quantities of pre-loved items.
What You Can Find in a Charity Shop Outlet
Charity shop outlets usually carry a wide mix of items, including:
clothing and accessories
shoes and bags
homeware and kitchenware
books and DVDs
toys and games
linens and bedding
furniture (in some outlets)
bulk vintage and retro pieces
electrical items (PAT-tested where required)
oddities, curiosities and clearance stock
Because stock comes from multiple charity shops, the selection is unpredictable and changes daily.
Why Shoppers Love Charity Shop Outlets
Extremely low prices: Outlets often have fixed-price rails or "fill a bag" deals.
Huge volume and variety: Wider selection than a standard high street shop.
Treasure-hunt feel: Unexpected finds and unique items appear regularly.
Sustainability: Buying outlet stock prevents usable items from going to waste.
Great for resellers: Vintage sellers and Depop/Vinted resellers often source stock here.
Frequent restocks: New stock is added throughout the day or daily.
Charity Shop Outlet vs Charity Superstore vs Regular Charity Shop
Charity Shop Outlet
sells surplus or clearance donated goods
very low prices
high-volume, constantly changing stock
(usually) warehouse or retail park locations
Charity Superstore
large retail space with curated sections
furniture, clothing, homeware, electricals
higher-quality presentation
more similar to a regular shop, just bigger
Regular Charity Shop
small high street shop
curated, selective stock
higher prices than outlet stores
limited space
Outlets sit at the "bargain" end of charity retail. Superstores sit at the "department store" end. Traditional charity shops sit in the middle.
Where You Can Usually Find Charity Shop Outlets
Charity shop outlets tend to be located in:
retail parks
industrial estates
warehouse units
out-of-town shopping areas
large charity distribution centres
Major charity networks such as British Heart Foundation, Barnardo's, Salvation Army and others operate or experiment with outlet-style formats.
Tips for Shopping at Charity Shop Outlets
go early for the best selection
bring a large bag or tote
be prepared to browse through large quantities
check quality, as some items may be unsorted
expect fast-moving stock
ask staff about restock times
consider visiting multiple outlets for variety
The best finds often come from digging through rails and boxes.
Related Terms
Want to find charity shop outlets and second-hand superstores near you? Discover them easily on the Ganddee app.