Thrift stores boom as Americans seek affordable, sustainable finds

Americans are turning to thrift stores and secondhand retailers as inflation pushes up the cost of new clothing. The trend has grown enough that the Bureau of Labor Statistics recently added used apparel to the Consumer Price Index, a sign that resale shopping has become a measurable part of consumer spending.

Prices for new clothing have risen over the past year, according to the bureau. In April, the annual inflation rate hit 3.8%, the fastest pace in three years.

Shoppers are hunting for more than clothes. Many are also looking for sustainable alternatives to fast fashion and home décor items harder to find in traditional retail stores.

Rachel Michelin, president of the California Retailers Association, told NewsNation that generational preferences are helping drive the shift. “I know my two daughters are younger adults, and thrifting has always been a big thing for younger people, especially in college,” she said. “So I think they’ve always been doing it.”

Michelin said affordability has become a major concern for younger consumers. “A lot of websites make it easy to do that. I know a lot of the stores with furniture have made it very accessible,” she added. “And I think people are looking for those deals. People across the U.S. always look for a discount. And there’s a lot more opportunity now than there used to be.”

Virginia Chamlee, author of “Big Thrift Energy,” said sustainability is a major factor for younger shoppers. “That’s something that younger generations really want and are seeking now,” she said. “I also think there’s a uniqueness to thrifting. You can find pieces made by artists and pieces that are vintage that you can’t find anymore because they’re no longer produced.”

Chamlee said retailers incorporating resale and reuse into their business models are adapting to changing preferences.

According to a recent ThredUp report, the U.S. secondhand apparel market is expected to surpass $78 billion by 2030.