Teenagers and young adults have long been the ones who made second-hand shops crowded, but now older people are also starting to take their place among the old clothes and gadgets. This is shown in a new sustainability report by Swedish Trade.
The trend is mainly noticeable among those over 65. In three years, the percentage who bought used clothes went from 18 percent to 30 percent last year. One of those who has started to like looking for bargains in second-hand shops is Sinikka Rönnholm, who a few years ago had a completely different view of it.
– I think it is very important that we make use of things, because so much is thrown away today, she says and continues:
– Previously, I thought it was disgusting to go into some second-hand shops, that it smelled bad and so on. But it’s much fresher now.
Milton Söderqvist is also one of those who buys a lot of used goods. The favorite is old china, but furniture and clothes also go home. He mainly does it for environmental reasons and for the stores’ “funny” range.
– My attitude has not changed much, it has been fairly constant. I’ve been diligent at Myrorna, but now it’s more fun when more new stores have popped up, he says.
Cheap prices attract
Sofia Larson, CEO of Svensk Handel, points to thinner wallets as the main reason why more people have discovered second hand. The focus on sustainability and the fact that more people want a unique style also drives the trend, she believes.
– Just as we saw that e-commerce increased during the pandemic, because that was how you could shop then, we see during the recession that second-hand sales increase.
Even the numbers indicate a bright future for used cars. In the report, 95 percent of those over 65 answer that they will buy as much or more used clothes in 2024, and the average is 93 percent. And the trend is not something that has gone unnoticed among Swedish traders, according to Sofia Larson it is “top of mind” with them.
– Second hand is the new normal, and will be regardless of the economy, she says.