British Heart Foundation to Close 150 Shops Due to Rising Costs and Online Shopping Trends
The British Heart Foundation (BHF) has announced plans to close approximately 150 charity shops and reduce staff numbers as increasing operational costs and a consumer shift towards online shopping render about a quarter of its high street outlets commercially unviable.
The charity conducted a comprehensive review of its retail division, which employs nearly 3,700 full-time equivalent staff, following a significant decline in net profit across its 640 UK stores. Net profit dropped from £18.8 million in 2024 to £3.6 million in the year ending 31 March 2025.
“Like most retailers, we are facing an exceptionally challenging trading environment,”
said Charmaine Griffiths, the chief executive of the British Heart Foundation (BHF).
“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.”
Griffiths received a salary of £268,239 for the current financial year. The charity also indicated plans to reduce staff in central functions that support its retail operations.
Overall, BHF employs 795 individuals at its head office and a total of 4,545 employees, which corresponds to 3,692 full-time equivalent positions.
Last year, the charity's wage and pension expenses reached £136 million, and it reduced its workforce by 180 employees, according to its latest annual report.
BHF intends to close 90 stores by the end of March next year, with the remaining closures scheduled by the following March.
“We must act now to ensure a sustainable future for BHF retail,”
said Allison Swaine-Hughes, the chief commercial officer at the charity.
“This is about protecting our mission for the long term, even when the decisions in the shorter term are hard.”
The charity stated that its overall financial position remains healthy, although the proportion of income allocated to charitable activities declined last year.
In 2025, BHF reported total income of £181 million but experienced a reduction of nearly £9 million in net income after deducting direct costs, resulting in £129.6 million.
According to the annual report,
“Overall the ratio of income available for charitable activities reduced to 72%, a decrease from 77% in the previous year, but still above our benchmark of allocating 70p of every £1 towards our lifesaving work.”
Griffiths emphasized the ongoing importance of the charity’s mission, stating,
“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.”
