The Charity Retail Association supports charity shops by campaigning on key issues, promoting the best practices, fostering community through events, running public campaigns, conducting research, and offering sector-specific training. The Charity Retail Association, originally part of the Charities Advisory Trust, was established in the early 1990s to support and improve charity retail operations Established in the early 1990s (originally part of the Charities Advisory Trust), CRA began as the Charity Shops Group in 1992. Founded by Dame Hilary Blume and initially chaired by Colin Sandford, it quickly became a vital network for charities engaged in retail operations.