Oxfam has said it cannot give guarantees about the future of its high street shops, as reports suggest the charity is reviewing the future of three warehouses and up to 100 stores could close.
Warehouse Review and Store Closures
According to reports from The Guardian, cited by The Mirror, up to 100 of Oxfam's approximately 500 UK high street shops could close. An insider claimed that warehouses in Batley, Bicester and Milton Keynes – which employ around 90 people and run both the organisation's humanitarian arm and its textile and retail side – could shut down.
Oxfam insists it has no plans to close any shops or warehouses at this time. However, the insider said donations have "dropped off" to stores as cash-strapped Brits sell their unwanted items online on platforms like Depop and Vinted instead.
New Online Retail Platform
Oxfam has launched a new online retail website called Oxfam Shop, where people can buy clothes, books, gifts and more. The insider added: "Oxfam is always more expensive, and that's starting to have an effect."
The source also expressed concern that the charity could close the Batley warehouse in West Yorkshire when the lease is up for renewal, as part of a drive to cut costs.
Financial Performance and Future Plans
Oxfam GB's chief supporter officer, Lorna Fallon, said the charity raised millions through retail operations but could not give guarantees on the future of this wing of the organisation. Fallon said: "In [the last financial year], Oxfam GB's shops, warehouses and online retail teams generated a £6.3m (net) contribution to our humanitarian work, as well as raising dedicated funds through emergency appeals to support crises in Venezuela, the Middle East and Ukraine.
"As is standard practice, we keep all parts of our retail operations under review via regular meetings. While we cannot give guarantees in this difficult economic climate, we are confident in and positive about our current retail performance and do not have plans to close our shops or warehouses at this time."
Fallon added that the charity is set to open a second superstore in Manchester and is now completing its online orders in-house. She said: "Next month our shops, warehouses and digital hubs will be leading Second Hand September, our annual campaign to tackle fashion's environmental damage while raising funds for our global work on poverty and climate change."
This follows Oxfam reporting its income fell by around £28m to £339.4m in 2025. Oxfam GB also made 250 members of staff redundant last year in an effort to cut over £10m in spending costs.
