Economic Downturn, Second-Hand Goods Business Thriving

The British economy is sluggish and the market is generally depressed, so that the charity store that sells second-hand goods is booming.

According to Broadcasting British Corporation recently reported that 2008 charity store survey shows that last year, the main charity store sales profit increased by 7.4%, up to 107 million pounds (1 pounds or about 1.8 U.S. dollars).

The Oxfam chain store's sales profit exceeds 21 million pounds, and the Salvation Army chain store sales profit increased by 64%.

By contrast, retail sales in Britain are depressed.

According to the latest statistics, retail sales have dropped by 1% since July this year.

Because of the cost saving of consumers, the operation of some famous clothing and leather shoes retailers is difficult to continue and has to be closed.

David Moir, director of the charity store organization, said: "according to past experience, charitable shops tend to perform well in the economic downturn, because the consumers who do not have money will come here to find the best price."

The British Red Cross has planned to spend 12 million pounds on opening new stores and pforming existing stores in the next 5 years.