#540 second chance

There are five Saturdays until Christmas (including today!), so the malls and big box stores will no doubt be packed with shoppers.  Where are a growing number of people going, either for gifts or that holiday outfit for themselves?  To thrift shops.

A recent research report estimates that the annual revenue of resale stores is $13 billion, and growing.  Shoppers have motivations that "are partly environmental, partly frugal, partly thrill-of-the-hunt fun."  And the plethora of consignment shops provide ample shopping experiences for those who fall into any of the categories.

My good friend is a thrift store aficionado.  When she comes to town, we do the "circuit" of bargain stores in our area.  She has even found stores in my town that I never shopped before, but do now based upon her recommendation.  For clothing, household decor or even Christmas decorations, it is a sensible way to outfit yourself with what you need.

It is reported that almost 20% of U.S. adults have shopped in a secondhand store in the last year.  Maybe as you are heading out today, you should add yourself to that number.  Reduce your expenditures, your carbon footprint and your wait in department store lines by shopping where the goods are just waiting to be loved -- again.

-- beth triplett
leadershipdots.blogspot.com

@leadershipdots
leadershipdots@gmail.com

Source:  "As shoppers' attitudes change, secondhand shops thrive," by Claudia Beck for the Sacramento Bee in the Telegraph Herald, August 4, 2013, p. 4B.