Shifting to thrifting? Gen Z is getting inspired
Thrifting and shopping for second-hand clothes or other items are increasingly popular nowadays. According to ThredUp´s 2020 report: “(...) the resale market will hit $64 billion by 2024”, and believes the pandemic had a significant impact on the second-hand market. (Reinhart J.2021)
The pandemics impact
During Covid-19, we were forced to think differently. We worked from home, and digitalism, money crises and budgets became a bigger priority. We had to figure out what we value the most and change our lifestyles. All types of shopping had to go online; thankfully, we have some creative and solution-oriented people in our world. Companies had to ask themselves; what target was affected the most during the pandemic? Generation Z.
(Reinhart J. 2022)
(Reinhart J. 2022)
Younger generations got introduced to selling and buying pre-used from modern and fun apps such as ThredUp, Etsy and Depop. The market of second-hand quality brands and unique items became a massive trend. The app's target market is dedicated to "Gen Z" (born 1997-2012) to inspire and moderate a sustainable lifestyle. (Reinhart J.2022). They're similar to any social media, post a picture of the item and bid online; how easy and exciting isn’t that? To illustrate this, it's hard to think of anything that can't be bought pre-used: fashion, furniture, electronics etc. In other words, you can exchange one product for another without spending a single penny! At the same time give the items a new lifecycle which is beneficial for the environmental crisis and reduces unnecessary mass production.
To catch this gen Z´s attention,
everything has to be easy,
quick, and ascetic.
A trend or a new beginning?
Although we're not as harmed by the pandemic today in 2022, our new perspective on money value, tighter budgets, and an influenced Gen Z still make us less impulsive in shopping. People have started choosing quality over quantity to ensure the item lasts longer, and perhaps the idea of selling it later. The pandemic made us think twice and appreciate our money value, which means companies need to change with our world and constantly keep up with the customer's value. From another perspective, it shows us that the customer can change the world, and thrifting might be a good start.
Khusainova, G. (n.d.). The Secondhand Market Is Proliferating, Can Challengers Like Vinokilo Thrive And Scale? [online] Forbes. Available at: https://www.forbes.com/sites/gulnazkhusainova/2021/01/28/the-secondhand-market-is-growing-rapidly-can-challengers-like-vinokilo-thrive-and-scale/?sh=2d5d3703ccb6
[Accessed 4 Dec. 2022].
Reinhart J. (2022). 2021 Fashion Resale Market and Trend Report. [online] www.thredup.com. Available at: https://www.thredup.com/resale/#size-and-impact.
[Accessed 6.12.2022]
Tongo M.G (2020). The Shift to Thrift: How The Global Pandemic Saw Fashion Resale Soar. [online] Available at: https://eco-age.com/resources/how-covid-19-pandemic-increased-fashion-resale/.
[Accessed 6.12.2022]
Comments
loved your blog, this was super interesting to read. I especially liked the part about "A trend or a new beginning" And where you talked about quality over quantity. Keep up the good work. And I like your choice of pictures. Keep up the good work.