PODCAST · business
The Charity Shop Chat
by The Charity Retail Consultancy
The Charity Shop Chat is a podcast for anyone who works, volunteers with or simply loves charity retail. Hosted by Charlotte Greenwood and Mimi Cartwright, the show brings together honest conversations with the people who make the sector what it is - people working everyday support our high streets and create real lasting change in the non profit sector. Each episode spotlights stories and teaching from behind the counter; the challenges, the moments that make it all worthwhile, and the realities of working in charity retail today.
Episodes
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Rebel Rags: The M&S Picky Bits of the High Street and the Pre-Loved Fashion Movement
Secondhand used to be whispered about. Now it’s worn proudly, shared loudly and styled boldly. In this episode, Charlotte and Mimi are joined by Sara, the vintage-hunting, thrift-hauling force of nature behind Rebel Rags Vintage, to talk about how pre-loved fashion has become about identity,...
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Billy Farrell: The Loyalty Scheme and How to Build a Future Focused Charity Retail
In this episode of The Charity Shop Chat, Mimi and Charlotte are joined by Billy Farrell, Director of Income Generation at Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland, for a conversation about what happens when charity retail starts thinking a little differently. Billy tells us how his team signed up 18,000...
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Kat Maclennan: The £0 Shop Refit and How to Transform a Charity Shop Without Spending a Fortune
In this episode, visual merchandising expert Kat Maclennan shares practical ways to increase sales through better layouts, stronger stock presentation, improved customer flow and smarter use of existing fixtures, often with little or no spend. From common VM mistakes to budget-friendly success...
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Lesley Kennedy and Marie Egerton: Creative Recruitment People Strategy in Charity Retail
Who's going to run tomorrow's charity shops? The job market is getting tougher, volunteers are harder to find, and succession planning is becoming a priority for more charities. Charlotte Greenwood and special guest host Hannah Weet from the Charity Retail Association are joined by Lesley Kennedy...
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Voices From the Charity Retail Conference 2026: Stronger Together
In this special conference edition of Charity Shop Chat, Charlotte is joined by guest co host Hannah Weet from the Charity Retail Association for a whistle stop tour of this year's CRA Conference. Rather than one guest, this episode brings together a whole range of voices from across the sector,...
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CRA Chief Executive Robin Osterley: A Decade of Charity Retail Leadership
As Robin Osterley OBE prepares to retire as Chief Executive of the Charity Retail Association, we reflect on a defining chapter in charity retail leadership. In this special episode of Charity Shop Chat, Robin looks back on his years representing thousands of charity shops across the UK, from...
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Catriona and Louise: Building a Charity Shop That Puts Community First
This week on Charity Shop Chat, we're joined by Catriona from Hope Kitchen and Louise , shop coordinator at Restore, for an inspiring look at what happens when a group of local people in Oban, Scotland come together to rethink what a charity shop can be. We discuss the community led model behind...
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Julia Edwards and Anna Pashley: The Charity Retail Conference Everyone Will Be Talking About
This week on Charity Shop Chat, we're joined by Julia Edwards and Anna Pashley from the Charity Retail Association for a preview of this year's CRA Conference. We discuss the biggest themes shaping charity retail, what delegates can expect from this year's programme, the value of workshop…
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Tacha, Hannah and Gareth: Pay What You Feel Initiative and Community Centred Retail
In this episode, Charlotte sits down with Tacha, Hannah, and Gareth from Ethical Boutique and the Safe Foundation in Cardiff, to explore how a charity shop can become a genuine hub for its community. From pay what you feel baskets that make the shop accessible to everyone and their in store café...
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Jen Graham: Bringing Charity Retail to the Mainstream
Jen Graham, known online as Charity Shop Girl, has built one of the most recognisable voices in charity retail. From viral social media content to appearances on This Morning and her role as an expert on the BBC's Shift the Thrift with Joanna Page, Jen is shining a light on the sector on a…
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Jen Graham: The Woman Behind Charity Shop Girl
Jen Graham, known online as Charity Shop Girl, has turned a lifelong love of second hand shopping into one of the most recognisable voices in charity retail. Through social media and TV appearances, she's introduced thrifting and sustainable fashion to entirely new audiences, bringing energy,...
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Lauren Davies: Unexpected Career Paths in Charity Retail
In this episode, Mimi and Charlotte sit down with charity retail leader Lauren Davies, to explore the many routes a career in this sector can take. From her work as a shop manager to a role at the forefront of sector innovation, Lauren's story is a powerful reminder that there's no single path to...
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Vicki Burnett: Leadership, Legacy and What Comes Next
Charity retail is built on dedication, leadership and the quiet commitment of people who show up year after year. In this episode of Charity Shop Chat, we’re joined by Vicki Burnett, Senior Consultant at The Charity Retail Consultancy and former Chair of the Charity Retail Association board, to...
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Renata Graver from Shaw Trust: Leading With Purpose and Inclusion
Join Charlotte and Mimi this week as they chat with Renata Graver, Director of Community and Retail at Shaw Trust and also a Senior Sponsor for the Race Equality Network. We explore the realities of charity retail in 2026, combining margins with mission, and how inclusion and representation can...
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Nicola & Roxanne from St Raphael's Hospice: How Shop Managers Save Lives
Hospice shops are places where everyday retail meets deep human emotion. In this episode, Mimi and Charlotte sit down with hospice shop managers to share the touching stories behind the till, moments of compassion and community that make hospice retail so unique. From meaningful donor encounters…
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Jan Marchant from Isabel Hospice: Can Everyone Win in the Future of Retail
In this episode, Charlotte and Mimi sit down with retail powerhouse and Drapers Lifetime Achievement Award winner Jan Marchant. From her early days at Topshop to transforming Tesco’s F&F into a market-leading brand, Jan shares lessons in leadership, innovation and compassion. Together, they…
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Catherine and Ella from Savvy Marketing: What Charity Retail Can Learn From Shopper Psychology
In this episode of Charity Shop Chat, we explore what charity retail can learn from the world of shopper marketing. Joined by retail specialists Catherine Shuttleworth and Ella Baynes from Savvy Marketing, we unpack how insight and human behaviour influence buying decisions at the point of...
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Steph Edusei from St Oswald's Hospice: How to Lead With Authenticity
In this episode, we’re joined by Steph Edusei, CEO of St Oswald's Hospice in the North East, to explore what charity retail really needs from senior leadership. From how CEOs can better support and champion retail teams, to why retail leaders are often overlooked for Director of Income Generation...
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Daniel Franzmann from Fight for Sight: The Secret Behind Community Led Volunteer Growth
In this episode, we’re joined by Daniel Franzmann from Fight For Sight to explore how their charity shops are reimagining volunteer recruitment through storytelling and social media. We discuss using Instagram as a recruitment tool, showing the human and diverse side of volunteering, and creating...
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Natasha Morosini from St George’s Crypt: How Charity Retail Creates Second Chances
In today’s conversation, we speak to Natasha, Head of Retail at St George’s Crypt, about the transformative power of charity retail beyond the shop floor, particularly the partnership between the Crypt and HMP Newhall. We explore how charity shops can create meaningful opportunities, including...
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Becky's Bazaar: Why Charity Retail Must Embrace Social Media
In this episode, we’re joined by Becky from @beckysbazaar to explore how preloved fashion influencers can drive real impact in charity retail. From fair pricing and storytelling to social media, online selling, and creator collaborations, we unpack what makes charity shops feel welcoming,...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
The Charity Shop Chat is a podcast for anyone who works, volunteers with or simply loves charity retail. Hosted by Charlotte Greenwood and Mimi Cartwright, the show brings together honest conversations with the people who make the sector what it is - people working everyday support our high streets and create real lasting change in the non profit sector. Each episode spotlights stories and teaching from behind the counter; the challenges, the moments that make it all worthwhile, and the realities of working in charity retail today.
HOSTED BY
The Charity Retail Consultancy
CATEGORIES
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does The Charity Shop Chat have?
The Charity Shop Chat currently has 21 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is The Charity Shop Chat about?
The Charity Shop Chat is a podcast for anyone who works, volunteers with or simply loves charity retail. Hosted by Charlotte Greenwood and Mimi Cartwright, the show brings together honest conversations with the people who make the sector what it is - people working everyday support our high streets...
How often does The Charity Shop Chat release new episodes?
The Charity Shop Chat has 21 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to The Charity Shop Chat?
You can listen to The Charity Shop Chat on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts The Charity Shop Chat?
The Charity Shop Chat is created and hosted by The Charity Retail Consultancy.
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