Thrift Store Shopping: What You Can Learn from Your Kids & Grandkids
Gen Z didn’t invent thrifting, but they’re reinventing it as a way to fight inflation, create a unique cultural identity, and connect with peers who also love combining retro style with incredible bargains. While nearly half (48%) of GenZ and millennial shoppers started thrift store and secondhand shopping to combat costs, 47% said they’d still buy secondhand even if they could afford new items, according to a new survey from CouponFollow.com. One-third call thrifting part of their identity.
If you’re thinking of getting into thrifting as a way to save money in retirement, decorate a new or second home, or as a hobby, here’s what the younger generations want you to know about the trend and how to get started.
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Thrifting is on the rise
The numbers are in: 42% of Gen Z and millennials shop secondhand more often now than they did two years ago. Engagement in online thrifting communities is up by 46% over the past three years. Four-in-10 younger shoppers check online resale platforms before buying something new, while 10% check online every time.
There’s a community built around thrifting
Young shoppers view thrifting as a hobby and have even built friendships around it.
“People get a big kick out of helping each other find deals, those rare items, or sharing tips and tricks for thrifting,” said Clay Cary, senior trends analyst at CouponFollow. “It can feel very collaborative, and you don’t always see that in more mainstream retail culture.”
Young shoppers are proud of their thrifting savvy, but not in the same way some people proudly carry a Prada purse or flaunt wealth. More than half (54%) of young people surveyed said thrifting makes them feel financially smart, while 61% get more excited about a savvy thrift store find than they do purchasing a new item.
“The thrift community feels like its own thing because it’s less about showing off and some wealth or status symbol, and more about creativity, sustainability, and the hunt,” Cary said.
Books and antiques are two of the fastest growing categories
Based on posts on Reddit’s largest thrifting community, r/ThriftStoreHauls, CouponFollow found that books and antiques are two of the fastest growing thrifting categories, with 120% and 112% growth, respectively, in the past three years. These also happen to be great categories for beginners to get started, according to Cary.
“For those who have recently started thrifting… I’d recommend choosing items that feel less trendy and are more stable, like home goods, books, or kitchenware,” he said.
“The thrift community feels like its own thing because it’s less about showing off and some wealth or status symbol, and more about creativity, sustainability, and the hunt.”
Clay Cary, senior trends analyst at CouponFollow
Thrifting is for all ages
Cary said he’d like to see more people turn thrifting into a multigenerational family experience.
“It’s the perfect space for different backgrounds to bond over the thrill of the thrift,” he said, pointing out that thrifting can appeal to all ages.
“Younger shoppers are able to reduce their [carbon] footprint [by not] buying new, and they can find a lot of Y2K clothing that’s very trendy right now. Older shoppers can appreciate the nostalgia or practicality of it. All age groups can appreciate the financial savings too,” he said.
How to get started
Have the perks of thrifting piqued your interest? While thrifting can be a fun hobby, you don’t want to add to the clutter buying things you don’t need or waste money on items that may wear out quickly.
“Kitchen and home goods tend to hold up really well because they have useable lifespans and the depreciation is slower,” Cary said.
Buying clothing for grandkids can also save a bundle. “Thrifting can be fantastic for buying clothes for kids who are growing so fast. You don’t want to break the bank when they’ll outgrow it in less than a year,” he said.
Where to thrift
Decide whether you prefer online thrifting or scouring secondhand shops in your neighborhood and beyond. “Pay attention to the type of thrift store, too,” Cary advised. “Some are more focused on clothing, others on everyday items, and some that feel like a big indoor garage sale.
Likewise, if you decide to try your hand at online thrifting, you’ll enjoy convenience and many opportunities to negotiate.
But buyer beware. “You can’t check the quality of the product and you can’t try on clothing,” Cary said. “A lot of the time, online thrifting sales are final.”
He recommended reading online reviews and buyer feedback and only working with trusted resellers on reputable marketplaces. The same way brick-and-mortar stores have specialties, the various reselling platforms also have their strengths. “When speaking about home goods, Facebook Marketplace is your best bet, especially since you can shop locally. Ebay and ETSY are great shops for more ‘vintage’ finds,” Cary said.
Thrifting to clear clutter
Once you’re immersed in the community, you might decide it’s just as much fun to sell as it is to buy.
You can donate or sell items in your efforts to clear clutter. It’s not always easy to decide whether something is worth selling or if it’s best to donate to your local thrift store and let them find a buyer.
“It helps to separate your items you’re wanting to get rid of into categories: high-value items worth listing individually, mid-tier stuff better suited for consignment, and everything else can just be donated,” Cary said. “A huge perk to donating is that it feels good, helps those in need, and directly impacts someone in a positive way.”
However, your secondhand sales also help the right buyer. After all, rather than letting items go unused in your attic, you’re putting them in the hands of someone who appreciates their value and putting cash in your pocket at the same time.
