Thrifting Resurges As Gen Z And Millennials Drive Second-Hand Shopping Boom
· Business · CTV News
Thrifting — buying second-hand clothing, furniture and household goods — is experiencing a renewed surge in popularity, driven largely by Gen Z and millennial consumers seeking affordable and sustainable alternatives to fast fashion. The trend reflects growing awareness of textile waste and environmental costs linked to mass-produced clothing, alongside tighter household budgets in several Western economies. Social media platforms, particularly TikTok and Instagram, have amplified the trend through haul videos, styling tips and vintage-resale accounts that spotlight unique finds at low prices. Thrift stores and online platforms such as Depop, Poshmark and ThredUp report rising user engagement, with resale marketplaces recording double-digit growth in active buyers over recent quarters. The shift is also reshaping the retail landscape, as traditional retailers monitor the second-hand market's expansion and several apparel brands launch their own resale or take-back programmes to capture
Why it matters
The boom affects millions of young Western consumers seeking budget-friendly fashion and pressures mainstream retailers to launch resale or take-back programmes to retain Gen Z and millennial buyers. For India, where organised thrift and resale platforms are still nascent, the trend signals a potential growth avenue for platforms like OLX, Depop-style apps and D2C resale brands as urban millennials and Gen Z look for affordable, sustainable options.
Read the original report — CTV News
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