Tag: Thrift Stores

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Why Thrift Shopping is Awesome ?

Why Thrift Shopping is Awesome ?

If you are unfamiliar with the term thrift shop, it is a shop that sells used items that include clothes, furniture, and books. Most often, thrift shops run for charitable reasons. However, many people, especially kids, get embarrassed when they visit thrift shops and buy items from there.

Well, those people are mistaken, as thrift shopping has several benefits other than giving back to the community. If you are still hesitant about visiting the nearest thrift shop in your area, they will help you learn more about how amazing thrift shopping can be for you, and for your kids, too! Read on as in this article, we will tell you why thrift shopping is awesome!

Saves Money

As a parent, you already have tons of financial responsibilities, and you try your best to make your kids have the best childhood as much as possible. Buying all their clothes from established brands will take up a considerable amount of your budget.

However, thrift shopping will help you save more money which you can spend later on, on fun trips, camps, toys, and gadgets for your kids, or even give yourself a treat by going to the spa or buying yourself something nice.

Waste Reduction

The process of manufacturing, packaging, producing, and distributing brand new clothes requires the consumption of a considerable amount of water and energy. Moreover, when people throw away their old clothes, this adds to the environmental pollution.

Thrift shopping is a great way to reduce waste as it doesn’t require all of these harmful processes. Shopping online is also beneficial nowadays, and one good reason for you to visit or purchase from an online thrift store is that you will not use any means of transportation, which means less pollution.

As you can see, thrift shopping can help reduce waste and save our environment in so many ways. So next time you feel embarrassed for going to a thrift shop, or your kids complain about it, remember that you are taking part in saving the earth, and you should educate your kids about how they will be contributing to cleaning our planet and reducing the amount of waste produced.

Good Quality for Low Price

Another reason why thrift stores are awesome is that you can still find high-quality items in good condition at a low price. Who said that items sold in thrift shops are of poor quality and broken? There are great bargains in them that you can take advantage of.

Thrift shopping means that you will be getting more for less. Moreover, even if you have found an item that you really like but has a dent on it, you can fix it later, and still, it will be cheaper than buying brand new, especially if it is a piece of furniture.

They mean, think about it! Any item you chose that still looks good is a used item that withstood the use of another person, and that should say something about the quality of that product.

Spread the Kindness

Shopping at thrift shops is an act of kindness since you help others by buying from them. It is not just about buying good quality products at a low price and saving money, as they support different causes and help out many people in need.

Purchasing through these shops is a great way to teach your kids the value of money, kindness, and that the important things in life are not material possessions.

The world is going through a lot, and supporting your community will definitely make the world a little better. Although, in your own city, it will have a great impact.

As you can see, shopping at thrift stores is a very smart financial decision. You get to save money that you can spend later on other important things, or travel to a fun place during your vacation. Moreover, you get to have high-quality products without paying a fortune.

Their benefits are not limited to monetary value, as buying from them helps a lot in reducing waste and saving energy and water, so it is a great way to be part of saving our planet, especially if you decide to do online shopping and reduce the amount of carbon footprint that your vehicle will emit as you transport to and from the store.

Thrift shopping from the thrift shops in Panama City Beach, FL can teach your kids many important values in life, like the importance of charity and giving back to their community, as well as how to set their priorities, and the value of money.

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Why you should rethink thrifting ?

Why you should rethink thrifting ?

For people that have been thrifting for a long time, it’s no secret that there are some amazing gems to be found. High quality denim, truly vintage silhouettes, and unique pieces that have the potential to completely transform your look. But, what’s often forgotten about is that for many people, thrifting isn’t a choice, it’s a necessity.

New clothes bought in malls and retails stores are generally not an option for a large percentage of low-income and working class people in communities, thus thrift stores were and are one of the few resources available to remedy that socio-economic disparity.

Before it was mainstream, many people carried quite negative or elitist attitudes about thrifting. Often considering new clothes as “cleaner” and undoubtedly superior with regard to fashion trends.

We’ll interject here just to clear something up

They’re not saying thrifting for your clothing is a bad thing. In fact, thrifting is one of the most sustainable ways to consume fashion and textiles — it keeps clothing in the cycle of use and consumption much longer than fast fashion, and it puts less money into producing more and new clothing.

The point of this article is to highlight the other side of thrifting culture, the one that’s often ignored or forgotten. It is to highlight the complexity of the situation at hand so that they may make the most educated and considerate consumption choices possible.

So, what does Gentrification even mean?

Gentrification is primarily used to refer to the development and alteration of lower-income neighborhoods through the process of moving wealth and affluence into them through businesses and non-native residents.

This process changes the character of the neighborhoods and often displaces its historical residents. They’ve seen this occur in Brooklyn, NY, Regent Park and Cabbage Town in Toronto, San Francisco, CA, and many other urban cities and neighborhoods across the US and Canada.

Gentrification is harmful and has an insidious potential to push people out of their neighborhoods by means of wealth disparity and making things like housing and food security inaccessible for those who cannot afford the favored standard of living purported by the wealthier constituents.

Another angle that should be examined within the thrifting paradigm is the world of online resale — let’s chat about it

For a lot of entrepreneurial-minded young people, sites like Depop and Poshmark have become very lucrative platforms. Dually, they’ve created a rich resale market of second-hand goods, specifically clothing and shoes, that rely heavily on second-hand and thrift stores such as Salvation Army, Goodwill, Value Village, and Talize.

Where these stores were once one of the few low-cost shopping options for lower-income people, they are now a competitive arena for resellers to find the best resealable clothing and turn a profit.

As Zhu and Josic (2019) point out, “thrift stores were initially designed as charities for low-income communities to have access to affordable clothing, yet they’ve increasingly become an outlet for small businesses and resellers to turn a profit.”

It’s important to tap into the fact that charities themselves are getting involved in the profit game

This increased demand, and high volume shopping from thrift stores has created an opportunity for stores like Value Village and Goodwill to capitalize by increasing their prices.

Anyone who has shopped second-hand over the last 5–7 years can tell you that $3 t-shirts have become $7 t-shirts and the cumulative effect of this kind of inflation “makes thrifting less cost-effective for those who rely on thrifting for their sole source of clothing” (Hooper 2019).

Like most things related to money and consumption, this kind of phenomenon creates a cycle. If you’re reading this article, and thinking “well, I shop at thrift stores as a conscious environmental choice”, you should factor in this consideration.

The concept of a mass and incessant ‘thrift haul’ is antithetical to the whole idea of sustainability, because you’re still consuming more clothing and textiles with the added duality of limiting options for those members of your community that rely on secondhand shopping. People can’t and shouldn’t shop thrift stores the same way they’ve been shopping fast fashion.

So where IS the best place to shop for clothing, and how do you go about it?

Alternatively, they could do shopping at ethical and sustainable brands. However, they have to acknowledge the evident inaccessibility of these garments.

Take this from a thick-thighed previous serial buyer of American Eagle jeans: invest in staple pieces that will last you for a long time, as opposed to looking at clothing as something disposable and seasonal. Even more so, treat each garment like an investment.

Whether it be a garment you purchased at an expensive sustainable shop or something you picked up at the thrift stores in Panama City Beach, FL, all garments should be treated as equally valuable and not purchased without intention or forethought.

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Students and teachers at the school explain why they enjoy thrifting

Students and teachers at the school explain why they enjoy thrifting

Shopping for pre-owned items at thrift stores has become more and more popular and has even established its own verb: thrifting. Students and teachers at the school have been following the trend as well by doing some “thrifting” of their own.

Freshman Maddy Williams enjoys thrifting for clothes because of the low prices.

“I like thrifting because I can find a lot of stuff that matches my style and it’s so much cheaper, [so] I can buy more clothes,” Williams said. “I get compliments on stuff that’s like $3 which I think is really cool.”

Senior Dominic Martinez also likes to thrift for the low prices and the diverse options the thrift stores offer. His style matches the options he finds at thrift stores.

“A benefit to thrifting is that it’s cheaper and I honestly feel like you can find a lot more of a variety of clothes at a thrift store because it’s literally everything,” Martinez said.

According to art teacher Erica Crist, thrifting is more time consuming than regular shopping. Shopping for something specific a thrift stores can be difficult because of this.

“[Thrifting] definitely takes more time,” Crist said. “Sometimes I’ll just go thrifting if I have a little bit of extra time and I just keep a general list of things that I’m looking for so I just scan the aisles really fast and look for them. If you want something really specific, then it’s a lot easier to just go to a regular store.”

Crist has noticed both the benefits and the disadvantages to thrifting.

“A benefit to thrifting is that you can save a lot of money,” Crist said. “I think it helps eliminate some of the waste in such a consumer-driven society. It’s crazy how much stuff you’ll find there. However, a disadvantage to thrifting is just that it takes a little bit more time.”

Williams has experienced these disadvantages as well. She stresses the importance of being patient while thrifting.

“You have to go through every item of clothing so you just have to be patient and wait until you find something you really like,” Williams said.

While shopping at thrift stores is enjoyable for Martinez, donating to them is just as enjoyable for him.

Crist’s experience thrifting has helped her gather helpful advice for someone looking to try thrifting from the thrift shop in Panama City Beach, FL for the first time.

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Student run thrift shop creates a less is more solution

Student-run thrift shop creates a less-is-more solution

As each spring semester comes to an end, most college students are eager to move on to summer internships, jobs and activities. Packing and moving items collected throughout the year can become a burden as most students would rather leave with less – including appliances, clothing, furniture and even school supplies.

Leaving these items behind, however, can create copious amounts of waste. According to Boston College, the average college student produces 640 pounds of solid waste each year.

One University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill student organization is ready to provide a sustainable solution to this challenge: Thrift. As Carolina’s first student-run thrift shop, the Thrift works to reduce senseless waste that accumulates at the end of each school year, ultimately reducing waste and saving money.

“They saw a need to address the waste generated each year by developing a better system for collection,” said sophomore Carlyann Edwards, the shop’s co-founder and co-director. “As student entrepreneurs, they want to encourage socially responsible consumerism and provide the UNC-Chapel Hill area with financial relief.

Although there is a current system in place by Carolina Housing for on-campus collections, nothing exists for students living off campus. The four student founders, Kent Andrews, Carlyann Edwards, Stephen Lapp and Duncan Richey, saw the need for an off-campus collection process and created a sustainable solution – a collection process combined with an annual Carolina Thrift sale.

To get their solution off the ground, they relied on Innovate Carolina’s Dreamers-Who-Do sponsorship, which helps students move their ideas forward and turn novel concepts into concrete solutions. 

Dreamers-Who-Do sponsorships provide financial support for student projects and programs that help UNC-Chapel Hill students learn what it means to be innovators and entrepreneurs. It gives them opportunities to put their insights into practice.

“They are so excited to be recipients of Innovate Carolina’s Dreamers-Who-Do sponsorship,” Edwards said. “Without it, they would not have been able to take those first steps to create Carolina Thrift.”

A team of 14 Carolina students oversee the organization, with each member bringing a specific area of expertise, including business, collection, event management, marketing, operations and sustainability. Carol Hee, clinical associate professor of strategy and entrepreneurship in the Kenan-Flagler Business School, serves as the group’s advisor.

Carolina Thrift’s collection efforts began April 23. Its first annual sale will be held Aug. 18 during Carolina’s Week of Welcome, when freshman arrive for the fall semester.

“Ultimately, they’d like for the annual shopping event to become self-sustaining,” Edwards said. “Eventually, they’d also like to create a sustainability fund for on-campus organizations to explore their own environmental endeavors.”

Carolina Thrift also hopes to eventually develop a partnership with Carolina Housing to combine efforts. It has also discussed the potential efforts of holding more than one sale each year and setting up a permanent thrift store in Panama City Beach, FL.

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The Five Best Thrift Stores Around the New School

The Five Best Thrift Stores Around the New School

After fashion week, college students across the city can breathe a sigh of relief, knowing that they can now scroll through their Instagram and Facebook feeds without being bombarded with pictures of runway looks that they would sacrifice their entire year’s earnings for.

These looks are just a credit card swipe away for the super-rich, but college students drowning in debt and earning $7.25 an hour can’t quite live that dream. So rather than sacrificing a month’s worth of grocery money for those Doc Martens you’ve been yearning for, hit up the thrift shops in Panama City Beach, FL.

We all know thrift shopping is not an easy task; one must be committed and dedicated to the goal of finding a diamond in the rough. You may have to search for ages, pin-balling your way through the racks of 90s dresses that will never be in style, or the nightmarish “mom jeans” section. But, oh baby, when you find that jean jacket with the perfect amount of wear and tear for $12, it’s all worth it.

This ranking of thrift stores is based on a number of factors – the first being the quality and quantity of the goods you can find. Nobody likes a thrift store that feels like everything being sold was donated by your dad.

The second factor is price. Let’s be real; nobody wants to buy a pair of used Levi’s for $75. The third factor contributing to the ranking is hipster level.

1. No Relation Vintage

Why: This place is hands down the coolest spot in the area for cheap, vintage garb. The style is definitely more of a jean jacket, tight pants, vintage shirt kind of place as opposed to the flower child looks you’d find at Stella Dallas.

The first things you see when you walk in are perfectly shredded, high waist jean shorts for the beautiful price of $15. And, oh, the sweaters! Racks on rack

2. Beacon’s Closet

Why: Beacon really knows what’s up. From the color-coordinated racks to the wall-to-ceiling shelf of shoes, Beacon’s Closet is a thrift store for the ages. It carries a whole variety of styles from 90s schoolgirl to 70s dancing queen. Price wise, you can find stuff for anywhere between $10 to $40, depending on the style and quality of the piece.

3. Monk Thrift Shop

Why: You’ve entered hipster heaven. Monk Thrift Shop is a dark, musky abyss of rock n’ roll tees and acid jean cutoffs. The store goes on forever and is packed from floor to ceiling with stuff.

The amount of clothes is a little intimidating but once you get in the groove, it’s worth it. Plus, it’s all pretty cheap and just a couple blocks away from campus.

4. Stella Dallas

Why: This place is a gem! They carry some of the coolest, trendiest vintage pieces and while the average price range is between $50 and $80, you can really find some awesome stuff. It’s small, so not too much to dig through, but everything there is worth the time to find.

Since it is pretty pricey, it’s most likely a one-and-done kind of place but it’s definitely worth it. It’s also just on the other side of Washington Square Park – an easy walk from campus for an in-between class excursion.

5. Buffalo Exchange

Why: BE is a staple in any ranking of thrift stores. They’re located all over the country and aren’t too picky with the stuff they buy, which is great if you want to sell an item and even better if you just want to get lost in all the stuff.

Their selection is large and prices are low, but the place can sometimes be a hit or miss on quality. Definitely less hipster than other places you may find, but again, low prices.

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10 BENEFITS OF THRIFT SHOPPING FOR YOU AND FOR THE PLANET

Thrift Shopping: An Eco-Friendly Alternative to Buy Clothes – Waste4Change
10 BENEFITS OF THRIFT SHOPPING FOR YOU AND FOR THE PLANET

What’s the best way to don that #ootd, you ask? Sustainably! 

Throughout the decades, fashion has been a perennial impermanence. In the history of style and glamor, fashion has been constantly evolving and aging and adapting alongside most of us. 

Just take a look back at your wardrobe over the years and you’d see for yourself.

WHY IS THRIFTING THE BEST?

Thrift shopping, or “thrifting”, is the act of patronizing pre-loved or second hand items at a discounted price. Most items at thrift stores or consignment shops are second hand or “pre-loved”, if you will, by a previous owner but still remain in good enough condition to be loved by another owner. Meanwhile, charity shops are thrift shops but for a cause.

To put it plainly, thrifting is a gift that keeps on giving for everyone — for beneficiaries, for you, for the planet, and for your wallet too. 

There are so many reasons to love thrifting and many more reasons to start to shop at consignment stores. Here are only several reasons out of many, many more:

1. CHEAP BUT QUALITY THRIFT STORE FINDS

One of the best things with thrifting is the low prices for good quality clothing and other items. We get to save money and get good deals too? Wow. 

In thrift shops, you have many options in shopping clothing that would cost you multiple times at department stores. And mind you, these are high quality clothes, branded items.

Many thrift finds come from popular brand names and with some clothes, bags, and shoes still with price tags on it! Sometimes there are also new items in many thrift stores too, all for low prices still.

Why get it for more at the department store when you can get it for way less at the thrift shop and save a lot of money?

2. UNIQUE AND DIVERSE STYLES

Aside from saving us a lot of money and finding us good deals, we love thrift stores for the plethora of clothes, bags, shirts, furniture, and whatnots that come in various styles.

This allows us the freedom of curating our own original style with the vast options a thrift store has for us. Whether your style demands a quirky pop t-shirt or a simple plaid cotton skirt, your local thrift stores have it all for you.

3. ELEMENT OF SURPRISE

Most times, thrifting is a lot like going on some treasure hunt. You never know what you will find after digging through each pile or rack of clothes, but finding a unique piece for a cheap deal is definitely a treasure find.

There is so much sense of fulfillment walking out of a thrift store with something you didn’t expect you’d find, but something you very much love. And that’s what makes thrifting most exciting too!

4. VINTAGE STEALS

Because fashion is cyclical, it is also timeless. What people wore back in the 50’s, kids these days are bringing back into style and turning it into trendy, fashionable looks. And why, of course, your local thrift store is abundant with these vintage clothing!

Want a Pinterest-worthy, trendy vintage look? Go thank your friendly neighborhood thrift shop for making your vintage #ootd possible at very friendly prices.

5. WEEKLY VARIATION

Since there are a ton of preloved items waiting to find a new home, thrift stores frequently receive donations. This makes thrifting even more fun, as there are new clothes, bags, shoes, and other products to check out every week! Fast fashion, who? 

6. AN ITEM FOR EVERYONE

Whether it’s kids clothing, wardrobe for students, a quirky gift for your writer friend, or a Christmas present for your parents, there is always something for everyone at a consignment store or at the flea markets near your neighborhood. Instead of having to hop around shops, a trip to the thrift store makes the family shopping so much more convenient!

7. REDUCE WASTE

Someone else’s trash is another man’s treasure. 

Every time you go thrift shopping at your local thrift store instead of the mall, you’re giving a new home to someone else’s clothes that would have otherwise gone to fill up our landfills.

With the advent of fast fashion in the 1990s, the throw-away culture that people have developed has led to a toxic amount of clothing waste that adds up to pollution. Because of the overwhelming options we have, our shopping habits have become linear and thoughtless.

8. SUPPORTING LOCAL

When you choose to shop at thrift stores or resale shops, you are choosing to support a local business. There are also some thrift stores that are social enterprises, so the proceeds of the clothing and products they sell go to a charitable cause to help in your community.

This makes shoppers leave the store feeling double better with their purchase! It’s both shopping and helping out at the same time.

Meanwhile, all fast fashion brands are led by capitalist corporations that prioritize profit over human lives and the planet’s life. 

9. LESSER CARBON FOOTPRINT

Would you believe that it took around 1,800 gallons of water to produce that pair of jeans you’re wearing now? And that’s only one aspect of the production process that all goes into the clothing industry. What about the manufacturing and the distributing of these clothing items?

Each part of the production for a single item has a corresponding amount of energy, carbon footprint and greenhouse gases being generated, all adding further damage to the planet. 

But each time you thrift an item instead of buying something new from the mall, you are maximizing all the resources spent on each item when you extend its life to the fullest. Plus, making a detour to the thrift store benefits both your wallet and the planet.

10. SUSTAINABLE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT

The fashion industry is one of the biggest industries existing, and understandably so, as it is something very personal to each of us. Unfortunately, this makes it also one of the largest pollutants in the environment. This is why thrifting is the best middle ground between the two situations. It’s a win-win for everyone, really.

HOW DO THRIFT STORES HELP THE COMMUNITY?

The thrift shops in Panama City Beach, FL that are run by charitable organizations for certain causes are a way to give back to the community by raising funds for the community’s needs. People running these stores are often volunteers giving back to their community in these little ways.

A charity store falls under the category of a social enterprise. In this way, your shopping experience becomes more meaningful because it is no longer merely self-serving for the shopper alone but also for the life of the community that would benefit from the proceeds of the store. 

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Thrift Stores Industry in the US – Market Research Report

Thrift Stores Industry in the US – Market Research Report

Thrift Stores in the US industry trends (2015-2020)

The Thrift Stores industry is composed of stores that exist to raise funds for charitable institutions by selling donated used goods. It is a subcategory of the Used Goods Stores industry (IBISWorld report 45331), but excludes consignment shops, antique shops, used record stores and other resale shops that are not affiliated with a charity.

Revenue is expected to increase for the Thrift Stores industry over the five years to 2020. Growth in disposable income and consumer spending for most for the period, combined with a growing consumer attraction to resale shopping have contributed to an increase in industry revenue.

Why buy this report on the Thrift Stores Industry in the US?

IBISWorld industry market research reports enable you to:

Find out about key industry trends
Identify threats and opportunities
Inform your decisions for marketing, strategy and planning
Quickly build competitive intelligence

This report on Thrift Stores Industry in the US:

Provides Market Size information to assist with planning and strategic decisions. Includes the necessary information to perform SWOT, PEST and STEER analysis. Helps you understand market dynamics to give you a deeper understanding of industry competition and the supply chain.

Analyses key performance and operational metrics so that you can benchmark against your own business, that of your customers’ businesses, or your competitors’ businesses.

The Thrift Stores Industry in the US market research report includes:

1. Historical data and analysis for the key drivers of this industry
2. A five-year forecast of the market and noted trends
3. Detailed research and segmentation for the main products and markets
4. An assessment of the competitive landscape and market shares for major companies
5. And of course, much more

IBISWorld reports on thousands of industries around the world. Clients rely on they information and data to stay up-to-date on industry trends across all industries.

With this IBISWorld Industry Research Report on Thrift Store in Panama City Beach, FL in the US, you can expect thoroughly researched, reliable and current information that will help you to make faster, better business decisions.

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How Thrift Shopping Is Being Kind To The Earth

5 Reasons to Embrace the Art of Thrifting

Thrift shopping is an overlooked way of practicing sustainability. This type of shopping reduces energy consumption, air pollution, mountains of landfill, and keeps our oceans cleaner.

There are endless fashion possibilities with thrift shopping, but it is also another way to take care of Mother Earth. One can find all types of brands and styles not available in a commercial mall.

There has been a stigma around thrift shopping and resale shops, when there really should not be, since it has so many positives! In 2021, there are two main ways to thrift shop—both online or at an actual thrift shops in Panama City Beach, FL. Wearing second-hand clothes can be a real pleasure for you and our planet will thank you for it!  

How Is Thrift Shopping Kind To Our Earth?

For a long time, thrift shopping has been viewed negatively when, in reality, there are numerous benefits. Thrift shopping is for everyone.

At times, others would judge people for choosing to buy and wear second-hand clothes, due to the quality or cleanliness of the clothing. There is an easy solution for that—put it in the washing machine!

Thrift shopping is another friend to the Earth, due to its environmental benefits. Clothes that are no longer being used can pile up easily in dumpsters, on the street, or other parts of nature.

In short, these clothes end up where they should not be. So, to prevent nature being the next best option, thrift stores or donation centers have sprung up across the country.

Shopping at these locations prevents unused clothes, which often are in decent condition, from piling up all over our planet and rehoused into closets, ready to be used again. The various benefits of thrift shopping outweigh any stigmas. 

REDUCES WASTE

An average American throws out 60-80 pounds of used clothing in a lifetime. Choosing to go thrift shopping reduces waste significantly, since fewer clothes will need to be produced.

Less clothing means fewer textiles and fabrics will end up in enormous piles in a landfill. Fashion trends may come and go, often far too quickly for the planet. So, thrift shopping allows us to recycle and reuse clothing, instead of turning it into waste.

CONSERVES OUR OCEANS AND WATER USAGE

Our entire planet is covered with beautiful oceans and some fabrics, such as polyester, do not decompose in water. These textiles and fabrics will stay intact—damaging, hurting, or even killing the natural wildlife from the Pacific to the Mediterranean.

To produce clothing, it can require multiple gallons of water for even a single t-shirt. By producing less clothing, the quality of our oceans and water usage can be conserved.

DECREASES AIR POLLUTION

Large factories all over the world are producing clothing at rapid rates, and, with it, large increases in air pollution. Yes, the fashion industry is not the only contributor, but they account for at least 10% of the world’s carbon emissions.

An excessive amount of carbon emissions from this type of pollution can lead to climate change and increased health issues, such as severe respiratory conditions.

Therefore, choosing to shop at any resale shops for second-hand clothes reduces environmental abuse, since it helps reduce the overproduction of clothes and slows down any “fast fashion.” 

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The thrift economy

The thrift economy

As thrift shopping and reselling started trending among the fashion savvy and environmentally conscious, many low-income communities have struggled to shop secondhand in the face of rising prices.

Increase in Popularity

According to the 2019 ThredUp resale report, more than one in three Gen Zers will buy secondhand and 51% of all consumers plan to spend more on secondhand clothing in the next five years.

The report also predicted that the secondhand market will double, with an increase from $24 billion in 2018 to $51 billion in 2023.

Many attribute the sudden uptick in secondhand shopping to social media. Multiple platforms reveal the mainstream staying power of thrift shopping.

Secondhand shopping also satisfies a social media-induced craving. Repeating outfits on Instagram is often considered to be an unspoken cardinal sin. Because secondhand shopping offers new styles for cheap, it fills the niche for constant new clothes.

Difference in Perspective

Thrifting’s popularity continues to climb, but as those from upper-middle to high incomes increasingly shop secondhand, many note a difference in perspective.

According to a 2010 Pennsylvania State University study by Spencer James, a researcher at Brigham Young University, lower-income families see secondhand shopping as a necessity, whereas higher-income shoppers view it as a commodity.

“The upper class essentially sees it as a toy store. Something to find stuff that’s fun, like a kind of playground,” James said. “Yet they have a lower class that sees that as one of the last few places where they can afford to buy the goods that they need to maintain their standard of living.”

James and his colleagues conducted the study after a major employer in their county shut down, leaving many families in financial distress. The study measured families’ participation in thrift economies and found that both thrift stores and yard sales provided many of the necessities families needed to survive.

Lower- and middle-income households typically participated in thrift economies at a higher rate than higher-income households. The results also noted that those in the lower-and middle-income brackets shopped for furniture and clothing while higher-income families typically bought antiques or trinkets.

Though James conducted the study a decade ago, he feels the results have only become more relevant, especially as thrift stores become a more prominent shopping alternative.

“This can have the deleterious effect of rising prices and thereby pricing the poor out of yet another place where they could potentially access the commodities that they need to maintain their standard of living,” James said.

Thrift Prices Rising

Several discussion boards across the internet also share price increases in their local thrift stores and speculate the cause.

In one instance, Reddit user u/Megan_nicole_93 found a pair of jeans at her local thrift store that were originally from Kohl’s, with the tags still on, on clearance for $12. Her local thrift store priced them at $15.“What is this thrift store smoking?… At least scratch the clearance tag off!” she said in a Reddit post.

Many believe the high volume of new “thrifters” drives prices up in chain thrift stores such as Goodwill. In a 2010 donation valuation guide, Goodwill Industries estimated flat prices based on the item. But, in 2020, the valuation guide includes a range of prices.

The difference in the two reveals that prices are increasingly focused on the maximum a customer would pay for a good, or how it’s priced in retail or other resale markets.

Resale

Ethan Tan, a Depop seller and ASU alumnus, has been thrifting to resell since 2016. He’s amassed about 30,000 followers on his account, Fun/Cool Vintage, and now uses the app as a full-time job.

Sitting in a retro-style robot graphic tee and vintage Levi’s, Tan described his process of picking out the best finds at the thrift store. Sometimes, he just knows.

Tan resells vintage T-shirts, jackets, jeans and the occasional pair of shoes. His prices range from $15 to $1,250. The highest priced item on his page is a signed vintage Suicidal Tendencies band tee.

He frequents Goodwill, Savers and other local thrift stores for his finds. In his expeditions, Tan also noticed an increase in thrift prices. Though many argue that shopping to resell could be a contributor to the inflation of secondhand prices, Tan believes it is not the fault of resellers, but the fault of the corporations implementing price increases.

“The thrift store wants to make more money, but they’re nonprofit. Their goal shouldn’t be to make more money. It should be to make a better impact on the community and the environment,” Tan said.

Tan also weighs the environmental benefits when he is thrift shopping from thrift stores in Panama City Beach, FL and reselling. Because of this, he finds a significant portion of his inventory at the Goodwill Outlet store, known to resellers as “the bins.” Goodwill Outlets sell retail rejects by the pound.

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thrift shop Thrift Stores thrifting

Thrifting: Good for Your Wallet, Your Wardrobe, and the World

Thrifting: Good for Your Wallet, Your Wardrobe, and the World

When you walk through the front door of your local thrift shop in Panama City Beach, FL, there is a rush of anticipation. You might find your new favorite winter jacket, a pair of designer jeans, or the perfect outfit for a night on the town—all for just a few dollars.

The thrift store market has grown in recent years as more consumers become aware of the impact fashion purchases have on our planet and move away from fast fashion. According to The Association of Resale Professionals, the thrift store industry is a billion-dollar industry, estimated to be worth between $17.5 and $24 billion.

Whether you want to find unique fashion pieces, save money, or reduce your carbon footprint, shopping at a thrift store can have a positive impact on your life and the world around you. Need more reasons to head to your local thrift store? Here are 12 of them.

12 Reasons Why Thrift Stores Are Awesome

  1. Thrifting won’t break the bank. If you want to look good on a budget, thrift stores are the way to go. According to Goodwill, the average cost of a woman’s blazer at one of its stores is just $4.99 versus the price at retailer Express, which can come out to more than $100. Jeans, T-shirts, and jackets are similarly discounted, which can save you hundreds of dollars over the course of a season.
  1. Thrifting is good for the environment. In addition to being more affordable, shopping at thrift stores can have a positive impact on the environment. Items such as coffee mugs, books, and even toys that would end up in the landfill can find a second home through thrift shops.
  1. Your purchases support thrift stores that help their communities. Many thrift stores are nonprofit organizations that support community programs such as homeless centers and pet shelters. Other thrift stores are for-profit organizations that donate a portion of profits to charitable causes and provide jobs for underemployed populations.
  1. Vintage clothes are often higher in quality and have stood the test of time. Fast fashion, which rose in popularity in the early 2000s, increased the demand for low-quality items designed to last just a few washes.
  1. You can find one-of-a-kind pieces. Don’t want to wear the same clothes as everyone else? Thrift stores offer a variety of unique fashion items and clothing that are no longer made, such as vintage designer pieces.
  1. You can resell items to make a profit. Thrift stores can also support your side hustle. Resellers are people who hunt thrift stores, yard sales, and other secondhand retailers for items they can resell at a profit on marketplaces such as eBay, Poshmark, Depop, and Facebook Marketplace. This practice is known as “flipping.
  1. You can develop your sense of style. Low prices and a wide selection of unique pieces make it easier to experiment with new styles. Not sure how you feel about the high-waisted jean trend? You can find a pair at the thrift store for a few dollars and take them home to test out the new style with different tops, shoes, and belts already in your closet.
  1. Thrifting is very trendy right now. Cost and sustainability aside, thrifting is just plain cool! The rise in popularity is likely due to the increase in the number of fashion bloggers and celebrities who are becoming more environmentally conscious. In fact, the thrifting industry has seen an annual growth rate of 2.3% in the past five years.
  1. You know where your money is going. Every dollar you spend supports a company. What do you do when a brand you love engages in less-than-stellar business tactics? You may decide to stop supporting it with your dollars.
  1. You can practice DIY projects. Want to get creative with the clothes you buy? From cutting T-shirts to distressing your jeans, the only limit to DIY projects is your imagination.
  1. Thrift shops have continually changing selections. Unlike mall stores, which tend to get new merchandise delivered just once or twice a week, thrift stores are always getting new merchandise. This influx means you can return to a thrift store every day of the week to discover new treasures.
  1. The clothes are already broken in. Rather than spending hundreds of dollars on fashionably faded jeans, you can find distressed jeans at a thrift store for pennies on the dollar. Clothing from your favorite thrift store has also been worn and washed several times, so the fabric is softer and more comfortable.

Environmentally Responsible Fashion Resources

Being an environmentally responsible fashion consumer is not an all-or-nothing proposition. It is nearly impossible to be 100% environmentally friendly. Thrifting is a step in the right direction; however, it can be challenging to support recycled fashion via thrifting exclusively.

The following resources will help you explore additional benefits of thrifting.

Resources on the Environmental Impact of Fast Fashion:

“‘Fashion’s Dirty Secrets’ is a film that will change your shopping habits”: This article explores the pollution and water issues that make fashion such a problematic industry.


Resources on Financial Benefits of Thrifting:

“Thrift Stores Industry in the US: Market Research Report”: This report looks at the financial impact of thrifting and how the market will perform in the coming years.


Resources on the Fashion Benefits of Thrifting:

“Craftsmanship, a dying art?”: This article from on the Ecologist explores how the shift away from local factories overseen by clothing designers themselves has made it more difficult for independent designers to be successful. It also explores how the shift to overseas fashion production may affect fashion innovation.

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