TUCSON, Ariz. (13 News) – Thrift stores have exploded in popularity in recent years. But with inflation and economic uncertainty surrounding tariffs, could supply become an issue?
13 News looks at what some secondhand stores in southern Arizona are bracing for.
Great Things Thrift Store is seeing fewer donations. They suspect people are hesitant to spend money on new items and, in turn, are less motivated to donate their old ones.
“We’ve had about a 20 percent decrease. Due to people probably holding on to things,” said Diane Fellows, president and CEO of Child and Family Resources, a non-profit organization.
They run the Great Things Thrift Store near Ina and Interstate 10.
“People love to put their babies in jeans. They’re $2 here, you’d pay $30 or $40 at least at a store,” said Fellows.
So far, sales are steady. But donations, mostly electronics and furniture, are down.
“It’s just been in the last quarter we’ve seen a decrease,” said Fellows.
Unlike thrift stores that rely on donations, Buffalo Exchange is a resale shop that buys items from sellers.
“If anything, Buffalo Exchange tends to do well in economically trying times because people want a deal,” said Jessica Pruitt, marketing manager for Buffalo Exchange.
“We set a selling price that we’ll sell it for. And they get either 50% of that in store credit or 25% in cash.”
It’s been in Tucson for 50 years.
Pruitt says, lately, even more people are motivated to sell their unwanted apparel and accessories.
“And of the sellers, more people are taking trade rather than cash. So I think people are anticipating to shop second hand, rather than purchase apparel new.”
In fact, a record 58% of U.S. shoppers bought secondhand last year according to ThredUp.
Many economists expect that number to continue rising.
Longtime thrifters aren’t surprised.
Teri Powell says, “Well I’m probably very fickle, I like to shop, and I like to sell my clothes and buy new ones. But I also love natural fibers. That’s the only thing I buy here is linens and cottons.”
Another shopper, Pat Schumacher occasionally re-sells secondhand treasures.
“I’ve made as much as $350 for a $15 jacket that I bought at a thrift store.”
At Great Things, Fellows hopes that people continue to donate items so local families can benefit. The last thing she wants to do is raise prices like many other thrift stores around the country have done.
13 News also reached out to Goodwill of Southern Arizona. We’re told it’s too early to tell if current fluctuations in the secondhand industry are tied to tariffs.
Another thrift store, Deseret Industries in Tucson declined to comment.
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