What Is Thrifting & Why Is It An Amazing Business To Run in 2021?

Source - Buzz Tribe

With the advent of the pandemic, we saw the rise of small entrepreneurial ventures, some of which saw massive success whilst the others are barely managing to break even.

Amongst the ones that have seen major success, there are the online, mainly Instagram-run Thrift stores.

Everyone has been jumping onto the bandwagon of remotely operating a thrift store with the help of their Instagram handles and their ever-loving friends and followers who are always willing to spread the message by way of a repost or a story popularizing the awesome venture.

What is a thrift store?

Thrift stores are online spaces where people can buy preloved or preowned items such as clothing, accessories, books, shoes or furniture.

Thrifting has been an emerging trend in India. Many small businesses have started their own thrift stores because it makes finding unique pieces at wallet friendly prices an exciting experience for most and therapeutic for a few. Also, by shopping for pre-loved items you’re supporting small business who have been facing a hard time all along the lockdown, while also saving the environment.

Reasons why thrift stores are so popular

Here are the list of reasons why thrift stores are adorned by everyone, be it someone in desperate need of retail therapy, an environment conscious shopper, a lover of aesthetics or a shopper on a budget.

1.   Helps the environment

 By purchasing preowned items, you indirectly are influencing the production of newly made items that may be utilizing some of the non-renewable resources of the planet.

Thrift stores also help reduce wastage of things by recycling, reinventing or modifying them for reuse.

2. Supports small business

Amongst the various reasons to start a thrift store, a major one could be the lack of employment or growing attrition rate amidst the ravaging pandemic.

People have set up their small individual business-like thrift stores to keep themselves afloat while also catering to aesthetic needs of people who are looking for items that may have gone out of stock at bigger stores and malls.

They are constantly in search for customers that are willing to buy pre-owned stuff and spread the word around.

3. Purchasing trendy & stylish pieces at cheaper rates

Imagine getting the trendiest clothes and accessories at a thrift shop, that you probably would have to rummage through shops and malls for! It’s a splendid idea indeed, isn’t it?

Thrift shops usually deal in only single pieces and don’t have multiple copies of the same item, which makes your possession rare and special. So next time you wear a dress to a party, you won’t have to think about your friend who shops from all the same brands to wear something strikingly similar.

4.  Access to items that may have run out of stock elsewhere

 Items such as vintage clothing, which you may have missed out on during that bumper sale may reappear in the easily accessible thrift shops.

Thrift shops got you covered for everything be it vintage outfits with corsets and head gear or Bollywood retro outfits that are making a comeback.

 

Thrifting can be a highly profitable business as customers are demanding sustainable and budget friendly options. Thus, making it a win-win situation.

Written By – Tushna Choksey