Now in its second year, the Awards are a chance for the public to show their favourite shops how much they mean to them. The Awards are also a great opportunity for retail teams to increase their shop’s visibility, connect with their customers, and thank staff and volunteers for their hard work.
Melanie Hill is Head of Volunteer Development and Retail at Shooting Star Children's Hospices, the 2024 area winner for the South East. Melanie said:
“The award has helped our Godalming shop go from strength to strength, as well as having the biggest increase on takings compared to last year, we've also seen a big increase in donations, helped by the increase of awareness of the shop. It's also made the shop staff and volunteers feel immensely proud of their shop.”
To help you make the most of the Awards, here are 10 tips for promoting them to your customers, supporters and staff.
Add information about the Awards to your next newsletter; share the UKFCSA web page and the nomination link.
Brief your shop staff and volunteers about the Awards so they can talk to customers about them and encourage them to make a nomination.
Create and display a poster in your shop window using the UKFCSA logo.
Share information about the Awards on your social media channels to encourage your followers to get involved. Use the campaign hashtag – #UKFCSA2025.
Send a special email to supporters to tell them about the Awards and how they can get involved.
Add a news item or blog to your website to promote the Awards and tell people about the difference they make to charity shops.
Create and print a simple flyer that can be displayed in your shop or given out to customers at the counter.
Ask corporate partners to share information with their communities via email, social media or their website.
Reshare Awards content from the Charity Retail Association’s social media channels.
Print and display a countertop sign to encourage customers to ask staff about the Awards and how they can take part.
The deadline to nominate a charity shop is midnight on Monday 14 July 2025. This award is open to charity shops based in the UK.
