Survey says business is booming at thrift stores across Canada
A new PayPal survey shows more Canadians are turning to thrift stores as a way to save some cash.
About a third of Canadians surveyed said they're buying second-hand goods more than once a month. Seventy-three percent said they do so to make their money go further, while 42 per cent of Gen Z Canadians are thrifting frequently.
At The Perfect Find, a thrift store in Kitchener, staff said foot traffic has picked up within the past 18 months – even topping pre-pandemic levels.
“I was not a thrifter, and you just become enveloped in it. I am such a thrifter now. It's very hard for me to shop other places,” said store manager Gwen Hamming.
Hamming said many people are looking for a deal in a high inflationary environment.
“A lot of times, we're about a quarter of the retail price,” said Hamming. “We have people that come specifically on Saturday to get clothes for a dollar.”
Discount lovers in Kitchener said it’s a good place to find unique things.
“I'm more of a niche shopper. I kind of like finding old vintage stuff, CD's, or like old classic movies or books,” said more shoppers.
“Prices here are so much cheaper than the mall. You go to the mall you can afford one shirt. You come here you can afford several items. You can afford a new outfit for the weekend,” said another shopper.
The manager at the new Goodwill in Waterloo said the second-hand surge is easy to spot.
“We've been seeing growth every single year ever since I’ve been at goodwill which is almost ten years,” said Rainer Voigt, the eastern regional manager at Goodwill.
Voigt said 1,200 customers came on opening day, but typically around 500 customers are expected on a regular day.
He said there’s been a 15 to 20 per cent increase in foot traffic year over year across his stores.
“With everything that's going on globally within our economies — sustainability, circularity, reusing, reduce, trying to eliminate waste into landfills; it falls right into what goodwill does,” he said.
In addition to the cost crunch driving traffic to thrift stores, re-sellers and those who enjoy the thrill of the hunt are keeping second-hand stores a first-rate business.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
What is whooping cough and should Canadians be concerned as Europe declares outbreak?
There is currently a whooping cough epidemic in Europe, with 10 times as many cases compared to the previous two years. While an outbreak has not been declared nationwide in Canada, whooping cough is regularly detected in the country.
Ontario Provincial Police arrest 64 suspects in child sexual exploitation investigation
Ontario Provincial Police say 64 suspects are facing a combined 348 charges in connection with a series of child sexual exploitation investigations that spanned the province.
'Summer of discontent': Federal unions vow to fight new 3-day a week office mandate
Federal unions are launching legal challenges and encouraging public sector workers to file "tens of thousands" of grievances over the new mandate requiring federal workers to return to the office at least three days a week in the fall.
Watch fighter jet pilots pummel fake enemy ship off coast of Philippines
The United States and Philippines held annual joint-training drills just off the Southeast Asian nation’s western coast on Wednesday. Military forces sunk a 'mock' enemy warship – the BRP Lake Caliraya, which was a decommissioned tanker made in China.
'Ozempic babies': Reports of surprise pregnancies raise new questions about weight loss drugs
Numerous women have shared stories of 'Ozempic babies' on social media. But the joy some experience in discovering pregnancies may come with anxiety about the unknowns.
OPINION What King Charles' schedule being too 'full' to accommodate son suggests
Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, has made headlines with his recent arrival in the U.K., this time to celebrate all things Invictus. But upon the prince landing in the U.K., we have already had confirmation that King Charles III won't have time to see his youngest son during his brief visit.
'I killed four people': Trial hears video evidence of Jeremy Skibicki at Winnipeg trial
“I killed four people,” alleged serial killer Jeremy Skibicki told two homicide detectives during a recorded interview played as evidence in his trial Wednesday.
AstraZeneca says it will withdraw COVID-19 vaccine globally as demand dips
AstraZeneca said on Tuesday it had initiated the worldwide withdrawal of its COVID-19 vaccine due to a 'surplus of available updated vaccines' since the pandemic.
Seafood, eat food: Calgary Stampede releases Midway menu
The Calgary Stampede has released its menu of sweet, salty and spicy treats available on the Midway for the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth.