The charity runs a helpline and several retirement estates in England and Scotland, as well as providing educational bursaries and hardship grants.
retailTRUST was founded in 1832 by Thomas Helps, as The Linen and Woollen Drapers, Silk Mercers, Lacemen, Haberdashers and Hosiers' Institution.
In 1996, Cottage Homes launched its Helpline, which shifted the focus of the charity to current retail workers.
[4] Retail Credit Union Limited, trading as retailCURe, is a savings and loans co-operative launched in 2017.
Ultimately, like the banks and building societies, members’ savings are protected against business failure by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme.