RSPCA Central London Branch does important work, rescuing, rehabilitating, and rehoming animals in some of the most disadvantaged parts of the city. Every year, they help hundreds of animals get the treatment and second chances they need.
Although they are part of the wider RSPCA network, this branch runs independently. That means they handle their funding and operations, relying heavily on income from charity shops and donations.
In 2023, they decided to switch from their old school till setup to Wil-U’s tablet-based EPOS and Gift Aid system. Since then, their Gift Aid numbers have gone up, and their team has made great progress getting the most out of the new setup.
We spoke with Margaret Davies, their Retail Area Manager, to learn more about how things are going.
Why They Made the Switch
Before joining Wil-U, the team used a mix of traditional tills and payment terminals. It was not designed with Gift Aid in mind; they knew it was time for something better.
They looked at a few providers, but Wil-U stood out.
“Colette [the branch manager] looked into three or four companies,” Margaret said. “Wil-U had strong Gift Aid support, and when we saw the system in action, that made the decision easy.”
Gift Aid is a big deal for the charity, and they were keen to get it up and running. That is exactly what happened with Wil-U.
“It took a bit of time to settle in, but now it’s going well. We’re seeing people sign up, and staff promote it in-store.”
Getting Everyone on Board
Like any new system, there was a learning curve. Some team members picked it up quickly, while others needed more time.
“We trained the managers first, then they trained the retail assistants and volunteers,” Margaret said. “It’s straightforward, but change is always a bit tricky. Now, most of the team are comfortable with it.”
When we asked what made the biggest difference, Margaret was clear: Gift Aid and having easy access to sales data.
“I can see daily figures right away. That’s really useful.”
Since implementing Wil-U:
- Over 4,000 donors have signed up in less than two years.
- The branch has achieved an entirely new £54,000 revenue stream unlocked through Gift Aid
- They have real-time access to data, which helps managers make quicker and better decisions
Looking Ahead
Every charity shop is unique, but the success of RSPCA Central London’s rollout shows how digital transformation, when done right, can lead to real, measurable impact. By adopting a more modern, flexible system, they’ve empowered their team, boosted Gift Aid revenue, and freed up more time to focus on what matters most: helping animals in need.
Reflecting on the experience, Margaret told us, “We’ve already recommended Wil-U to others. It’s easy to use and an improvement on what we had before,” a clear sign that things are going well.
At Wil-U, we’re proud to support RSPCA Central London Branch and other forward-thinking branches across the UK. Their feedback and experience help us keep improving, making sure our tools meet the real-world needs of charity retailers.
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