British Heart Foundation has today revealed that its charity shops division had its most successful year to date by making a profit of £31m in 2011-2012.

This is an increase of £5m on 2010-2011 and a 3.1 per cent increase in like for like sales.

BHF says the reason for its shops success is a combination of the current economic climate and its shop expansion plan which has seen a 5 per cent growth in the last year.

Retail director Mike Lucas said: “Our shops are proving a popular choice for shoppers keen to buy good quality items at low prices. The recession has seen our sales grow – giving us the confidence to further extend our nationwide network of BHF shops and furniture and electrical stores.”

The retail arm now has more than 700 shops and 140 furniture and electrical stores around the UK.

BHF topped the 2011 Charity Shops Survey with a turnover of just over £133m and opened its 700th shop in December 2011. In February it announced that it had had its most successful Christmas yet with its sales figures increased by nearly one-fifth.