Suffolk race meet goers flock to town charity store for fascinators and fancy outfits

<img src="https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/g_yw_xubeRBfIouURXzu7Q–/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTY0MDtjZj13ZWJw/https://media.zenfs.com/en/eadt_361/4639df206e399963a881bda0c2a38c51&quot; alt="Michelle Banks, shop manager at Scope's charity store in Newmarket, has seen sales soar during the cost-of-living crisis <i>(Image: Scope Newmarket)

The cost of living crisis has sparked a sales boom at a Suffolk charity shop as more bargain hunters flock to second-hand stores.

Disability equality charity Scope said its store in upmarket horse racing town Newmarket’s Guineas Shopping Centre has seen many new customers since the crisis began.

These are on the hunt for everything from fascinators for race meets to horse racing workwear.

“They’re mostly teenagers and they love finding brilliant outfits at prices they can afford,” explained Scope’s Newmarket shop manager Michelle Banks.

“We get a lot of customers who work in the horseracing industry and they come into Scope to get their workwear.

“They don’t feel they can justify buying new outfits for mucking out, or just getting plain mucky, when they can get perfectly good quality, pre-loved items, at prices that suit their budgets at our shop.

“Our shop also sees a lot of race-goers come in for their special occasion outfits and fascinators.

“When you have a few meetings to attend at Newmarket, the costs can mount up but choosing a charity shop outfit makes great financial sense and it’s unlikely anyone else will be dressed the same.”

A shopping habits survey by Scope found 9% of customers were visiting its shops for the first time as the cost-of-living crisis bites.

Of the 2,000 people surveyed, 57% cited cost of living pressures for their visit, and 13% said since the crisis began they had been shopping more in charity shops while 55% said value was a driver.

A separate study by the Charity Retail Association found an 8.6% uplift in like-for-like sales in the quarter to December 2022.

It analysed data from 52 charities representing 3,780 shops and found the average number of daily transactions in stores was up 9.1%.

Low prices are now the driving factor – rather than altruism – for visiting the shops, Scope’s survey found.

In 2023, 62% said price was the key factor, and 40% said it was supporting a good cause. But in 2021, 58% said the most important factor was supporting good causes.

Scope executive director of retail Ruth Blazye said managers were reporting the shops had become a lifeline for many – and for some it was the only person they spoke to all day or all week.

“The lockdowns, combined with the current cost of living crisis, have been a monumental disaster for the high street and people’s spending power.

“Our new research shows charity shops have never been needed more than now, as the nation recognises their increasing importance, while our budgets are being squeezed like never before.”