Remember when a trip to Vinnies meant filling a bag for under $20? Those days might be becoming a distant memory, as charity shops across Australia grapple with rising costs and changing customer expectations.
The reality hit home for 29-year-old podcaster Mitch Churi during a weekend browse at his local Vinnies in Caringbah, NSW.
The former radio presenter, who spent nearly a decade at KIIS FM before being let go late last year, was doing what many Australians are doing in the cost-of-living crisis—turning to charity shops for affordable finds.
He spotted a blue leather biker jacket that caught his eye immediately. But when he checked the price tag, his jaw dropped: $200. Even his attempt to haggle it down to $100 was politely declined—Vinnies doesn't negotiate on prices.
'I know the Shire is old white money, but the biker that died in that jacket wouldn't have paid $200 for it,' Churi quipped, highlighting the disconnect between charity shop pricing and community expectations.
The charity shop transformation
Churi's experience isn't unusual. As the cost-of-living crisis continues to bite, even op shops are facing criticism over perceived high prices, with some Australians taking to social media to call out what they see as the 'gentrification' of charity shops.
Data from the Charity Retail Association showed that in the first quarter of 2024, charity shop sales increased by 14.3 percent compared to the same period in 2023, effectively turning charity shops into curated mini boutiques.
'The average price of an item in an op shop is currently around $5.50 per item on average'
But that average masks significant variations. In affluent areas like Caringbah, where Churi shops, prices can reach near-retail levels for quality items. Most charity shops allow staff to set individual prices for their store, meaning that in affluent areas, prices will be higher.
However, due to resellers travelling far and wide in search of the ultimate bargain, deprived areas are also experiencing rising costs.
Why charity shops are getting more expensive
The price rises aren't happening in a vacuum. Cost of living issues had an impact on charities in 2022, with increases in expenses and liabilities outpacing increases in revenue and assets.
Total revenue in the sector increased by $11 billion, but expenses increased by $22 billion in the same period.
The amount charities spent on employees in 2022 increased nearly 10 per cent compared to 2021—the highest annual percentage increase recorded. These rising operational costs inevitably trickle down to shop pricing.
What's driving up charity shop costs?
Rising staff wages (up 10 per cent in 2022)
Higher rent and utility bills
Increased waste disposal costs
Growing demand from middle-class shoppers
Reseller activity pushing up 'market value'
Strategic pricing to match online platforms
There's also the reseller factor. Charity shop items are being sold on platforms like Depop for ten times the original price, contributing to the subsequent gentrification of the charity shop in recent years. Charity shops, recognising the resale value of their donations, are increasingly pricing items closer to their potential market value.
The housing crisis connection
For Churi, the jacket incident highlighted broader financial pressures facing his generation. Sydney's median rent has reached $720-853 per week, taking up 30 per cent of median incomes, forcing many young adults to remain living with family longer.
'I am at my parents' but they aren't normal parents, they are like roommates,' Churi explained, acknowledging the reality many face. With Sydney's median property value now $1,228,435 and median house prices at $1,525,956, homeownership feels increasingly out of reach for many.
Key Takeaways
- Op shop prices rising due to operational costs and demand
- Premium pricing in affluent areas now commonplace
- Reseller activity affecting availability and cost
- Traditional budget shoppers being priced out
- Charity shops balancing fundraising with accessibility
This housing pressure means more people are turning to charity shops for essentials. A third of Australian households are turning to charity due to cost of living pressures, with one in five Australians sourcing second-hand clothes in op shops as household funds are exhausted by rising costs.
What this means for you
For older Australians who have traditionally relied on charity shops for affordable clothing and household items, these price rises can be particularly challenging. On fixed incomes, the difference between a $5 shirt and a $15 one can be significant over a weekly shop.
As 55-year-old Linda from Newcastle, who has been using charity shops since she was a child, noted: 'There's been a massive change in trend with quality and prices'.
The changes aren't all negative for charities, though. Revenue from the sale of goods stays in the local community, going directly towards funding services and programs—every year Vinnies NSW assists over 200,000 people experiencing disadvantage and homelessness.
The bigger picture
With 650 St Vincent de Paul shops across Australia, any pricing changes have widespread impact. The challenge for charity retailers is balancing their primary mission—raising funds for charitable works—with community expectations of affordability.
As business lecturer Dr Andrew Hughes from the Australian National University noted: 'I think they're taking advantage of people to be honest when they're getting a lot of their stock for no cost... But what I've noticed changing with charity operations is that they're doing a lot more retail marketing and benchmarking to their competitors'.
Some charity shops are trying to address accessibility concerns. Tasmania and the ACT saw slight improvements in affordability, with the ACT notably benefiting from rent increase limits introduced in 2019, showing that regulatory measures can help manage price pressures.
Did you know?
Did you know?
The first 'World Op Shop Day' is scheduled for 18 October 2025, celebrating the global impact of charity retail and second-hand shopping culture.
Looking ahead
The rise in charity shop prices reflects broader economic pressures affecting all retail. With the cost of living rising 2.4 per cent over the year to December 2024, and charity operating costs increasing faster than revenue, this trend seems likely to continue.
For budget shoppers, the key might be timing and location. Shops in less affluent areas often still offer better value, and many charity retailers run regular sales and specials. Some are also expanding online presence, potentially offering more competitive pricing.
As for Churi, he's moved on from radio to launch his own podcast, 'The Mitch Churi Chat Show,' giving him more control over his income. But his experience at Vinnies reflects a broader Australian reality—even our most affordable shopping options are feeling the pinch of economic pressures.
What This Means For You
The days of guaranteed bargains at the op shop might be over, but the community spirit and environmental benefits remain. The challenge now is ensuring these essential community resources remain accessible to those who need them most.
What's your experience with charity shop pricing in your area? Have you noticed significant changes, and how has it affected your shopping habits? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Original Article
https://www.news.com.au/finance/cul...8f13d1ee44e2cce4568bf441057cd2?from=rss-basic
The Mitch Churi Chat Show has officially landed
Cited text: After a few months away from the studio, the former KIIS and Nova host is back behind the mic, with the first episode of The Mitch Churi Chat Show hav...
Excerpt: The former radio presenter, who spent nearly a decade at KIIS FM before being let go late last year
https://radiotoday.com.au/the-mitch-churi-chat-show-has-officially-landed/
Mitch Churi Unveils Next Move
Cited text: Churi had been with KIIS for nearly a decade, first joining at the age of 19 as a barista for ARN’s most popular hosts, Kyle Sandilands and Jacki ‘O’ ...
Excerpt: The former radio presenter, who spent nearly a decade at KIIS FM before being let go late last year
https://au.variety.com/2025/radio/news/former-radio-presenter-mitch-churi-reveals-next-move-26887/
As the cost of living bites, even op shops are facing criticism over high prices. Is it fair?
Cited text: But as the inflation and cost of living crisis continues to bite, even op shops are facing criticism over perceived high prices.
Excerpt: As the cost-of-living crisis continues to bite, even op shops are facing criticism over perceived high prices, with some Australians taking to social media to call out what they see as the 'gentrification' of charity shops
https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article...iticism-over-high-prices-is-it-fair/8w2nf3awg
As the cost of living bites, even op shops are facing criticism over high prices. Is it fair?
Cited text: '[With] the rising popularity of thrifting, some of these prices are getting ridiculous,' the video creator said, going on to detail some of the alleg...
Excerpt: As the cost-of-living crisis continues to bite, even op shops are facing criticism over perceived high prices, with some Australians taking to social media to call out what they see as the 'gentrification' of charity shops
https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article...iticism-over-high-prices-is-it-fair/8w2nf3awg
What the gentrification of charity shops means for the small-budget shopper—Snatch
Cited text: Data from the Charity Retail Association showed that in the first quarter of 2024, charity shop sales increased by 14.3 percent compared to the same p...
Excerpt: Data from the Charity Retail Association showed that in the first quarter of 2024, charity shop sales increased by 14.3 percent compared to the same period in 2023, effectively turning charity shops into curated mini boutiques
https://mccs-journalism.gold.ac.uk/...ity-shops-means-for-the-small-budget-shopper/
What the gentrification of charity shops means for the small-budget shopper—Snatch
Cited text: Designer is great but it must be part of the mix not the only offer.” · Most charity shops allow staff to set individual prices for their store, meani...
Excerpt: Most charity shops allow staff to set individual prices for their store, meaning that in affluent areas, prices will be higher.
https://mccs-journalism.gold.ac.uk/...ity-shops-means-for-the-small-budget-shopper/
A decade of data: Australian Charities Report unveils sector’s economic impact amid rising costs | ACNC
Cited text: ... Our data shows that cost of living issues had an impact on charities in 2022, with increases in expenses and liabilities outpacing increases in re...
Excerpt: Cost of living issues had an impact on charities in 2022, with increases in expenses and liabilities outpacing increases in revenue and assets.
https://www.acnc.gov.au/media/news/...ils-sectors-economic-impact-amid-rising-costs
A decade of data: Australian Charities Report unveils sector’s economic impact amid rising costs | ACNC
Cited text: The amount charities spent on employees in 2022 increased nearly 10 per cent when compared to 2021—the highest annual percentage increase recorded.
Excerpt: The amount charities spent on employees in 2022 increased nearly 10 per cent compared to 2021—the highest annual percentage increase recorded
https://www.acnc.gov.au/media/news/...ils-sectors-economic-impact-amid-rising-costs
What the gentrification of charity shops means for the small-budget shopper—Snatch
Cited text: They’re a reseller, and all of these items will be sold on Depop for ten times, if not more, of the price paid in charity shops. It’s reselling like t...
Excerpt: Charity shop items are being sold on platforms like Depop for ten times the original price, contributing to the subsequent gentrification of the charity shop in recent years
https://mccs-journalism.gold.ac.uk/...ity-shops-means-for-the-small-budget-shopper/
Australia’s rental crisis reaches new heights: 2024 Rental Affordability Index | SGS Economics & Planning
Cited text: Sydney follows closely, with a median rent of $720, taking up 30 per cent of median incomes.
Excerpt: Sydney's median rent has reached $720-853 per week, taking up 30 per cent of median incomes
https://sgsep.com.au/publications/insights/rental-affordability-index-2024
Sydney property market data, trends and forecasts 2025
Cited text: The median property value in Sydney is now $1,228,435.
Excerpt: With Sydney's median property value now $1,228,435 and median house prices at $1,525,956
https://www.openagent.com.au/suburb-profiles/sydney-property-market
Sydney property market data, trends and forecasts 2025
Cited text: The median house price in Sydney is now $1,525,956.
Excerpt: With Sydney's median property value now $1,228,435 and median house prices at $1,525,956
https://www.openagent.com.au/suburb-profiles/sydney-property-market
Cost of living in 2024
Cited text: For example, between November 2023 and November 2024, household spending on groceries decreased by 6 per cent. Recent Finder research has found 11 million Aus...
Excerpt: A third of Australian households are turning to charity due to cost of living pressures, with one in five Australians sourcing second-hand clothes in op shops as household funds are exhausted by rising costs
https://www.finder.com.au/money/cost-of-living
What the gentrification of charity shops means for the small-budget shopper—Snatch
Cited text: 55-year-old Linda from Newcastle has been using charity shops since she was child and has noticed a rise in prices.
Excerpt: As 55-year-old Linda from Newcastle, who has been using charity shops since she was a child, noted: 'There's been a massive change in trend with quality and prices'
https://mccs-journalism.gold.ac.uk/...ity-shops-means-for-the-small-budget-shopper/
Vinnies Shops—St Vincent de Paul Society NSW | Vinnies
Cited text: Revenue from the sale of goods stay in the local community, going directly towards funding our services and programs—every year we assist over 200,0...
Excerpt: Revenue from the sale of goods stays in the local community, going directly towards funding services and programs—every year Vinnies NSW assists over 200,000 people experiencing disadvantage and homelessness
https://www.vinnies.org.au/nsw/vinnies-shops
Charity shop—Wikipedia
Cited text: Vincent de Paul Thrift Store (trading as Vinnies) which operate 650 shops across Australia, Anglicare Shops, that currently operate in 19 locations ac...
Excerpt: With 650 St Vincent de Paul shops across Australia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charity_shop
Aussie mum's op shop outrage after spotting $280 item
Cited text: Considering charity stores are inundated with free donations left on their doorsteps, Dr Andrew Hughes from the Australian National University questio...
Excerpt: As business lecturer Dr Andrew Hughes from the Australian National University noted: 'I think they're taking advantage of people to be honest when they're getting a lot of their stock for no cost...
https://au.finance.yahoo.com/news/aussie-mums-op-shop-outrage-after-spotting-280-item-234944007.html
Australia’s rental crisis reaches new heights: 2024 Rental Affordability Index | SGS Economics & Planning
Cited text: Tasmania and the ACT saw slight improvements, with the ACT notably benefiting from rent increase limits introduced in 2019. These regulatory measures ...
Excerpt: Tasmania and the ACT saw slight improvements in affordability, with the ACT notably benefiting from rent increase limits introduced in 2019, showing that regulatory measures can help manage price pressures
https://sgsep.com.au/publications/insights/rental-affordability-index-2024
Cost of Living 2025: Everything you need to know about handling rising living costs | Mozo
Cited text: The cost of living rose 2.4 per cent over the year to December 2024, up 0.2 per cent over the quarter.
Excerpt: With the cost of living rising 2.4 per cent over the year to December 2024
https://mozo.com.au/family-finances/cost-of-living-guide
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