00:00Industry leaders say more Minnesotans are leaning into the trend of thrifting amid economic pressures.
00:05As local inflation and gas prices climb, communications manager for Arc Value Village, Minnesota, Sarah Colvin,
00:12says that everyday shoppers are fueling a massive second-hand expansion that experts are calling a modern golden age of
00:19thrifting,
00:20driven largely by baby boomers donating high-quality items.
00:23I think certainly with social media and, like, seeing other people's thrift hauls, that drives people to come in.
00:33And, yeah, the boomers are donating great pieces.
00:37Today, the used goods and thrift store industry in Minnesota has grown to an estimated $420 million market.
00:44And Colvin says consumers are no longer just looking at thrifting as a way to buy, but as a way
00:50of life.
00:50Senior director of Goodwill Easter Seals, Minnesota, Kim Schultz, says shoppers are coming in with a variety of motivations.
00:58People that resell. Some people make that their job. They'll go in and look for items.
01:02There might be others that are on fixed income, so they just want a great deal.
01:06Or, think about people who antique. They just come in and they look for those hidden treasures, and they often
01:11find those.
01:12She says while donated inventory and affordable pricing are keeping profits flowing,
01:16future demand will depend on whether supply chains can keep up with online second-hand markets.
01:22Taylor Rivera, News Talk 830 WCCO.
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