Monday, 08 January 2024 | PNS | DEHRADUN
Various factors like affordability, sustainability and brand recognition are motivating individuals to opt for thrift stores while shopping in the city. Several thrift store owners have stated that the significance of money has increased after the Covid-19 pandemic, encouraging people to prefer purchasing clothes from thrift stores which offer second-hand clothes to individuals at reasonable prices.
Commenting on the matter, a thrift store owner in the Raipur area of Dehradun, Vishaka Antony said that initially, people were hesitant to buy second-hand clothes as they thought they wouldn’t look nice. However, with time, factors such as affordability, sustainability and branded clothes have shifted people’s attention towards shopping from thrift stores. She emphasised that in the beginning, they bought clothes in bulk from countries such as China and Korea at lower prices, and sold them to the people. But now, city residents also sell their used clothes, which the store sells to other people at lower prices, she added.
Another thrift store owner, Sweetie Jain said that the demand for thrift stores has increased in the city. Even retailers in markets now buy clothes from thrift stores and sell them to their customers. Saving money has become the main advantage of thrift stores, which provide stylish and branded clothes to people at the lowest prices, she added.
A customer Muskan Bhardwaj told this correspondent that wearing the same clothes repeatedly is now considered embarrassing. However, buying new clothes every time is also expensive. With the rise of thrift stores, the problem of having different clothes every day has been solved. Affordable and stylish clothing is one of the main factors that influences girls like her to opt for thrift stores, she said.
