Inflation sends shoppers to thrift, consignment stores for deals
NATICK — Designer clothes, jewelry and accessories line the aisles and walls of DC Natick Consignments. It's a shopper’s dream with which Lorraine Burns is all too familiar.
She enjoys browsing for accessories, like purses and jewelry, but jackets are her “absolute favorite.”
One day, she spotted a lightweight, white-and-black Joseph Ribkoff jacket — adorned with studs around the collar and down the bottom — and knew she had to add it to her collection. It's now her favorite.
Burns, a longtime DC Consignment shopper, keeps coming back — despite a 30-minute commute from her Wilmington home — because of its affordable, high-end designer items.
“It’s worth the trip,” she said with a smile.
Burns believes inflation’s impact encourages pennywise shoppers to turn to thrift and consignment stores, calling it a “starting trend that will only increase more as time goes on — barring the current economy.”
Inflation's impact on consumers' budgets makes places like thrift and second-hand stores an ideal alternative for people looking for clothes, shoes, furniture and more.
Consignment shops offer designer labels for less money
“People are coming here because they’re telling me a lot of the stores (in the Natick Mall) have gone out and they can’t find anything,” said Sandra DeCola, DC Consignments' owner.
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DC Consignments opened in 2009. DeCola initially worked there once a week after retiring from a corporate job in the biomedical industry — although she said she has “always been in retail.”
DeCola previously owned a small jewelry business. She bought DC Consignments after working there part time for 10 years.
Today, DeCola said the store is “doing fabulous” — due in part due to inflation's effect on standard retail.
“I’m pretty busy,” she said as her phone rang.
DeCola handles the pricing of items and notes her competitive deals — for example, a $200 dress will sell for $50.
As prices continue to rise, 69% of Americans shop at thrift stores and 81% consider buying second-hand or refurbished items to save money, according to a recent survey from TopCashback.com.
"We’re going to see more (customers) because our prices and quality are so good," DeCola said. "So I think we’re going to see sales rise.”
Vintage stores have treasures, deals
Suzanne Caso, owner of Avenue C Designs in Framingham, said people are turning to stores like hers to hunt for deals and treasures.
“I think people really appreciate the value, quality and character they find with vintage pieces,” she said.
While inflation has positively impacted her businesses, Caso has also noticed that customers are becoming more cautious with their shopping habits. She said consumers are more inclined to message her on social media for the pricing and availability of an item before making the drive out to her store at Eastleigh Farm on Edmands Road.
Caso soon plans to launch a website that will list all items she has available for in-store purchase within the month.
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More people are consigning their stuff
Heidi Burrill, owner of Zelda’s Closet on Central Street in Milford, said she’s seen not only a rise in customers but also consignors.
“It’s allowing consignors to make a little money, especially with the way the economy is now…(but) I have unfortunately had to turn people away for the season,” she said.
Inflation even hits Savers' store prices
Bob Stockwell, store manager of Savers in Marlborough — an international thrift store chain with locations in U.S., Australia and Canada — said that while his store has not seen a spike in business, “it’s been a steady increase for the last two years.”
He pointed to the pandemic, noting people want to shop more sustainably and recycle clothes, and they realize they can find some “fantastic buys” at stores like Savers.
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“It’s those one-offs, things people don’t really see anymore that get the customers excited… it’s like a treasure hunt,” said Stockwell.
Some customers, he said, have commented on what he said was a "slight increase" in Savers' prices.
“People have to realize that you have to pay all the workers, the electricity and transportation," Stockwell said. "All of our costs are going up."
Savers in Marlborough commits to donating to its nonprofit — the Epilepsy Foundation — no matter how much the store makes in sales.
On Aug. 17, as part of National Thrift Shop Day, Savers gave customers a free pin with any purchase.
Burrill said Zelda's Closet is offering special deals on all clothing and footwear on the national day and will likely extend the savings to the weekend.
Ironically, Avenue C Design is closed for the holiday, but Caso said she may “stretch out” the celebration upon reopening Thursday, Aug. 18.
How to save money at thrift stores
Rebecca Gramuglia, a consumer expert at TopCashback.com, has a few savings tips for both novice and advanced thrift store shoppers.
Hold onto “maybes.” If you find a unique item, don’t set it down because then it becomes fair game for others
Avoid items with tears and stains
Be sure that vintage T-shirt is actually vintage (do your research)
Don’t go into a thrift store with a plan — spontaneously treasure hunting is all part of the thrifting fun
Check out online thrifting on Thrilling, ThreadUp and apps like Depop.
“People really enjoy hunting for treasures… the quality of older pieces is much better than the quality you would find in department stores,” said Caso. “You cannot beat the character you’re going to find."
This article originally appeared on MetroWest Daily News: Thrift, consignment stores help shoppers save money with inflation
