It’s no secret that thrifting has been pushed into the limelight of popular culture.
Over the last couple of years, fashion influencers like Emma Chamberlain have rebranded thrifting to be the new aesthetic, yet sustainable way to buy affordable statements for your wardrobe. The overall decreasing stigma of thrifting, as covered previously in our blog, has only further propelled thrifting’s popularity.
While lower-income individuals have long been represented as the face of thrifting, this seems to be no longer fully applicable. When taking a closer look at who represents the average thrift store shopper, research has shown a massive shift in the socio-economic demographics of thrifters in the past decade. More specifically, while second-hand clothing continues to be largely utilized by lower class shoppers, this has actually shifted towards individuals of a higher socioeconomic status—especially the middle class.
Not surprisingly, a study showsthat there has been a significant increase of the middle class shopping at thrift stores for clothing. In line with the thrifting habits of lower-income families, there has also been a shift of middle class shoppers buying second-hand furniture, electronics, and household items more than ever before.
However, while more middle class shoppers are turning to thrifting, statistics show that higher-income individuals continue to be less likely to purchase thrifted items. In fact, James’ study states that “the odds of shopping for furniture, clothing, and housewares at thrift stores were four times higher for those from the lower income category than those from the higher income categories.” We see that while more middle class consumers have been drawn to the popular choice of incorporating thrifting into their shopping habits, higher-income shoppers continue to steer away from buying second-hand items (excluding antiques and trinkets).
On top of socioeconomic status, age has also played a large role in identifying major groups contributing to the rise of thrifting. As thrifting was introduced into mainstream pop culture, young people started flocking to thrift stores for cheaper, fashionable finds. Ultimately, this has led to the rise of Gen Z and Millennials being the forefront of the thrifting fashion movement; this can largely be due to 70% of millennial and Gen Z consumers stating that sustainability is an important factor while making buying decisions. For many individuals of this generation, many choose to shop for a second hand or resale item over eco-friendly products from sustainable brands.
Thrifting becoming a more popular trend means great news for increasing sustainability in the fashion industry. However, it also raises the question of whether this takes away more quality items for lower income individuals. While more wealthy consumers have turned to thrifting as a cheaper alternative, this in turn can reduce the already limited clothing options available to low-income communities.
“This means there are less quality items left on the thrift store shelves for those who truly have no other affordable options,” a Berkeley based study states. This could mean lower-income individuals lacking cheaper options for “professional attire that could mean the difference between impressing or crashing at a job interview.”
While the creation of thrift stores have originally been for lower-income individuals, the steadily rising popularity and appeal of thrifting has brought individuals of various ages and social-economic backgrounds to thrift stores. Though this entails increased sustainability practices and purchases in the fashion industry, it has also led to undesired consequences impacting the demographic who need thrift stores the most: lower-income consumers.However, this shouldn’t discourage current or potential thrifters; while thrifting is still a great way to practice sustainable fashion, it’s important to remember that sustainability isn’t limited to just purchasing secondhand clothing, but also entails decreasing unnecessary clothing purchases that perpetuate fast fashion culture.
Design credit: Ariel Chu
FAQs
The report said that Gen Z, the generation born between 1997 and 2012, shop the most at thrift stores, making up more than 40% of global consumers. Despite temporary closures of second-hand and thrift stores because of the Covid-19 pandemic, the local thrift industry is still growing strong, making the old new again.
How much does the average thrifter make? ›
As of Apr 9, 2024, the average hourly pay for the Thrift Store jobs category in California is $20.53 an hour.
Who benefits from a thrift store? ›
Most thrift stores are non-profit and creates jobs for people to have. It supports many low-income communities by allowing for a place to receive clothing for a lower price. Students can benefit from this shopping as well. There are ways to purchase gently used textbooks as well as study materials.
Why do people like thrift stores? ›
Whether you want to stay on top of the latest trends or express your individuality with unique and vintage clothing, thrift shopping allows you to create a wardrobe that's completely one-of-a-kind. Thrift shopping is a lot like a treasure hunt: you never know what you might find!
Why is Gen Z obsessed with thrifting? ›
Some Gen Zers view thrifting and reselling as a challenge to find the diamond in the rough. This generation is known to value their individuality and creativity, thrifting allows them to do just that. Gen Z is making a conscious effort to reduce their environmental impact through sustainable fashion practices.
Why does Gen Z love vintage? ›
Gen Z's interest in the nostalgic aesthetic may not be as surface-level as it seems. They are a generation growing up in turbulent times, where instability is rife – jumping back into the past is an easy way to circumvent the stresses and anxiety associated with living in the present.
Can you make a living thrifting? ›
It's not uncommon to find thrift store flippers making close to $100k every year from thrift store flipping. It, however, still depends on how much you put in. If you're willing to put in enough time to learn about flipping and carefully research the items to sell, you can make a comfortable living.
Is owning a thrift store profitable? ›
Yes, it is possible to make money by opening a thrift store. Some online thrift store companies make a high-profit margin of 80%.
How do you flip a thrift store find? ›
Here is a list of steps you can follow to flip items from a thrift store:
- Research various thrift stores in your area. ...
- Look for typically high-value items. ...
- Search for items you find online. ...
- Purchase items. ...
- Take pictures of the items. ...
- List the items for sale. ...
- Ship the items. ...
- Track earnings.
If you've ever heard someone say they're going to go thrifting, you might be wondering what they mean. Simply put, thrifting means to go shopping at a thrift store, garage sale, or flea market where you'll find gently used items at discounted prices.
Owning a thrift store can be profitable if you reduce the business's operating costs, implement a good marketing strategy, and opt to sell some of your products online, as a majority of consumers are increasingly turning to online shopping.
Is thrift shopping good or bad? ›
There are numerous benefits to thrift shopping and buying used instead of new. As we mentioned above, when you buy used, you're not only saving money, you're helping to save the environment. Donating and buying used items keeps them out of the trash while preserving the resources that go into making new goods.
Do rich people buy from thrift stores? ›
Wealthier people have begun to frequent thrift stores, shopping for the same items as low-income people who were the original customers of the secondhand shops. In addition to wearing the clothes themselves, many thrifters in recent years have also started reselling the clothing on websites like Depop at a higher rate.
What are the disadvantages of thrift shopping? ›
Disadvantages of Thrifting
While many thrift stores carefully inspect and select the items they sell, there is still a risk of purchasing clothing that is stained, torn, or otherwise damaged. While some damage can be repaired, it can be frustrating to spend time and money on an item that doesn't meet your expectations.
Why is thrifting so expensive now? ›
High demand: Thrift stores have become increasingly popular in recent years, and as a result, the demand for second-hand clothing has increased. This increase in demand has led to thrift stores raising their prices to reflect the popularity of the items.
What is the average age of thrifters? ›
29.7% of secondhand apparel shoppers in the U.S. are 25 to 34 years of age. 23.8% of thrift apparel shoppers are 35 to 44; 18.1% are 18 to 24. Older consumers are less likely to purchase secondhand apparel, with 16.6% of consumers 45 to 54 and 11.8% of consumers 55 to 64 purchasing.
Which generation buys the most clothes? ›
Gen Z is not only the demographic group that shops the most on social media, but also the one that spends the most on average per item. In each purchase, they buy on average four items, compared to six for millennials, but of higher value.
What percentage of Gen Z thrifts? ›
Share of consumers buying secondhand online in the U.S. 2023, by generation. In the first quarter of 2023, a third of surveyed consumers indicated engaging in secondhand shopping. Among the respondents, Gen Z constituted the highest percentage at 42 percent, followed closely by Millennials at 39 percent.
What do most people who thrift shop do it to be more sustainable? ›
Thrift shopping is an environmentally conscious choice with multiple benefits and plays a pivotal role in reducing waste, conserving resources, and lowering carbon emissions. Thrift shopping is not just about finding unique and affordable items; it's a sustainable and responsible approach for the environment.
