# Growth of secondhand shopping and thrifting

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/growth-of-secondhand-shopping-and-thrifting
> Updated: 2026-08-17T20:29:59.000Z. Sources: 3. Developments: 2.

Secondhand shopping and thrifting have seen increased popularity driven by social media trends, budget considerations, and environmental concerns. Consumers utilize thrifting to find unique home decor and high-quality items, such as vintage ceramics and solid wood furniture, while also finding sentimental value in antique discoveries.

This trend is particularly evident among students seeking sustainable alternatives to fast fashion, which is noted for contributing approximately 10 percent of global carbon emissions. Shoppers are increasingly using a mix of in-person charity shops and online resale applications like Vinted and Depop to balance style and cost, despite some challenges regarding rising prices from independent resellers on digital platforms.

## Timeline

### 2026-08-17: Second-hand shopping grows as students seek sustainable fashion

Students are increasingly turning to second-hand shopping and retail discounts, such as Buffalo Exchange’s annual sale, to balance budget constraints with the environmental need to avoid fast fashion.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/second-hand-shopping-grows-as-students-seek-sustainable-fashion

### 2026-08-08: The growing popularity and practical benefits of thrifting

Thrifting is growing in popularity as a way to save money, reduce waste, and find unique home decor or sentimental treasures through secondhand shopping.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/the-growing-popularity-and-practical-benefits-of-thrifting

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Cite as: Growth of secondhand shopping and thrifting. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/growth-of-secondhand-shopping-and-thrifting