The 3 x 60-minute Mary, Queen of Charity Shops, produced by Optomen, will challenge managers to turn other people's cast offs into sellable stock and attempt to revamp charity shops' collectively dusty image.
“I want to turn these hardworking and dedicated volunteers into clued-up retail experts, their jumble sale stock into must-have collections,” Portas said.
“At the same time, I intend to radically change consumer shopping habits, and prove a trip to a local charity outlet can be a fun and rewarding experience.”
The BBC added: “From well worn woollies to last seasons fashion faux pas, charity shop staff face a sales challenge like no other. And with strong competition from low cost fashion chains, the declining quality of donations, and the general stigma some attach to buying second-hand, it can be tough to even tempt people through the door.”
However, Portas believes that charity shops will increase in importance to British shoppers, in line with rising concerns about green issues and ethical shopping.
If her series is successful, she aims to roll out the blueprint across charity shops nationwide.
The series was commissioned by BBC controller of entertainment commissioning Elaine Bedell. The executive producers will be Mirella Breda for the BBC and Becky Clarke for Optomen.
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