In January 2026, charity retail practitioners gathered in
Belfast for CADA’s ‘Charity Retail Connect’ event.
The event brought together shop managers and staff
from across the sector to share experiences and
practical ideas at a time when charity retail faces
significant challenges, including rising costs, volunteer
shortages and increased competition from online
resale platforms.
Participants heard from Fiona Anderson and Susan
Robinson Lunn of Concern Worldwide and Sue Bamford
of Tools For Solidarity. Speakers shared insights on
trends in charity retail, creative visual merchandising,
sustainable fashion and styling, and how shops can
become welcoming community spaces.
Despite the pressures facing charity retail, the morning
highlighted the creativity, resilience and collective
knowledge that exists across the sector – and the value
of coming together to learn from one another.