Australian Shoppers Queue 100 Metres for Savers Amid Scrutiny Over US Owner

The expansion has attracted attention because Savers Australia is part of US-based Savers Value Village, which is valued at $2.2 billion and majority-owned by private equity firm Ares Management.

Savers Australia generated more than $300 million in revenue in 2025 and reported a gross profit margin of around 50%, above the industry average. However, local charity shop operators are concerned that the company’s for-profit model could put pressure on community-run stores.

Savers Australia head Michael Fisher said the company paid $5.6 million to Australian nonprofit partners in 2025. The payments averaged about $310,000 per store with partner organisations collecting donations and receiving payments from Savers.

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The Geelong store is Savers’ 19th location in Australia. The company has a much larger presence in North America, with 185 stores in the US and 172 in Canada.

Michael Fisher, head of Savers Australia, said the company paid $5.6 million to its Australian nonprofit partners in 2025, averaging about $310,000 per store.

He explained that nonprofit organisations collect donations from the public and bring them to Savers stores. Savers then pays the organisations for those donations, meaning donations made at the stores support the partner nonprofits.

Savers’ large presence helps explain why the company has become a point of debate in Australia’s secondhand market. Unlike many competitors, Savers operates as a for-profit business and competes for customers and donations in a sector often associated with charities and community fundraising.

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