Introducing the bright future of Age UK shops

On 21 April, our first Age UK concept store opened in Ashtead, Surrey, marking a new era for our shops. A Help the Aged shop for 15 years, our Ashtead store now proudly sports the bright new colours of Age UK.

And the changes aren’t just cosmetic: the Ashtead store has been brought into the 21st century with an interactive, touch-screen kiosk, through which customers can find out more about Age UK’s services, complete surveys, and see how else they can get involved.

These innovations have proven a hit with both staff and customers alike. Ashtead Shop Manager, Marlene Dixon, who has managed the store for 13 years, said, “We absolutely love it! Our customers love it! It’s such a bright environment to work and shop in.”

We have now opened five concept stories across the country. They are in Colne, Lancashire; Ashtead in Surrey; Chesterfield; Kentish Town, London; and Southbourne, Dorset.

These shops are demonstrating our great offer of products and service we as Age UK have to offer, plus we have really improved our retail shopping environment

Feedback from the shops was generally really positive, one customer said the following. ‘Absolutely brilliant! Such a change to see a cheerful, colourful charity shop.’

The Kentish Town opening was such a huge success that one customer spent an incredible £2,300 in just one sale - the receipt was huge!

We now plan to create five more concept shops by the end of February 2011. We are happy to announce that they will be in Chandlers Ford, Blackburn, Earlsdon, Garforth and Wednesbury. Updates to follow...

A focal point for the local community

The launch of these new flagship stores is the first phase in the refurbishment of our 500 shops throughout the UK. The lessons learnt from the concept stores will be fed into 50 further shop refurbishments, which will be completed by March next year. 75 stores will then be fitted each year, until all our shops have been refurbished. In the meantime, all our shops will receive new Age UK fascias this year to reflect our new identity.

Our shops will aim to be a focal point for local communities, providing information and help with services. All our shops will feature an Information and Advice hub by July, allowing you to find out about how our advice, services and products can help you.

Your local Age UK store will sell both new and recycled goods, which will feature an ‘I’ve been loved before, so love me again’ tagline. In all our shops, customers will be able to sign up to Gift Aid.

Supporting people in later life

Our shops are all about supporting people in later life, both through the services and products they provide, and the funds they raise to support our work at a national and international level. It’s a huge operation: our shops currently process 20 million customer transactions a year, employing 1,500 staff and 7,000 volunteers!

Hugh Forde, Retail Director of Age UK said: “As ever, we rely on the public donating their much-loved items to us and for volunteers to give their time to help run our shops and we hope our new look will encourage people to show their support in whatever way they can.”

To contact your local Age UK shop, please call 0800 169 87 87.