The charity retail sector is facing a challenging period due to a significant drop in the price of unwanted clothing, also known as “rag.”
Local charity, Isabel Hospice, dedicated to providing specialist palliative care and support to those with life-limiting illnesses, is feeling the impact of this downturn, which has affected its income from rag sales. In recent years, the global market for rag has experienced a sharp decline in prices, with the cost per kilogram plummeting. For Isabel Hospice, this has meant that the price of rag has dropped from 31p per kilo to just 10p per kilo. This steep fall has made it increasingly difficult for the hospice to generate much-needed funds from the sale of unwanted clothing to rag merchants, a crucial revenue stream for the charity.
Isabel Hospice is encouraging its supporters to be mindful of the donations they make to its shops. Charlotte Greenwood, Head of Retail & Marketing at Isabel Hospice comments “We understand that people want to donate, and we truly appreciate their generosity. However, we ask that items donated to our shops are of good quality and suitable for resale. If you have items that are not in a condition to be sold, please dispose of them responsibly.”
The rag market has been disrupted by global economic issues, such as supply chain challenges, wars, and the rise of ultra-fast fashion. These factors have flooded the market with low-quality, disposable clothing, which in turn has lowered its resale value. Rag merchants, who collect and distribute unwanted garments to global markets for resale, are struggling to keep up with the overwhelming amount of stock, resulting in lower prices being offered to charities like Isabel Hospice.
“The price of rag has fallen dramatically, and as a result, we’re losing out on a significant source of income, with only 28% of the donations we receive being suitable for sale in our shops, a large proportion is typically sold as rag. Unfortunately, due to the oversupply of low-quality items in the market, rag merchants are unable to offer competitive prices, which has had a direct impact on our fundraising efforts.” ends Charlotte.
Despite the challenges in the rag market, Isabel Hospice continues to remain committed to its mission of providing free, palliative care to patients and their families across eastern Hertfordshire. The charity shop network plays a crucial role in sustaining the hospice’s services, which include in-patient care, Hospice at Home services, and bereavement support. The hospice has helped 2,441 patients across eastern Hertfordshire this year through their services. The charity’s shops provide a valuable way for people to support the hospice while also offering a sustainable option for purchasing affordable, quality pre-loved items.
How You Can Help
Isabel Hospice relies on the support of local communities to ensure its vital services continue. By shopping at Isabel Hospice charity shops or donating good-quality items, individuals can help make a difference to the lives of patients and their families. To find out more about how to donate, visit www.isabelhospice.org.uk.
