Saturday, November 28, 2009
By SANDRA PEDICINI
ORLANDO, Fla. — The Salvation Army scheduled a Black Friday sale. Used toys are selling quickly at Children’s Orchard. Even parents of fussy teenagers are rushing to the Plato’s Closet resale store.
In these frugal times, more shoppers are buying Christmas presents at thrift and resale shops.
The National Association of Resale & Thrift Shops reports that about two-thirds of its members saw higher holiday sales in 2008, and the group expects that to continue in 2009.
Jean Heller, who lives in Polk County, Fla., has joined the ranks of thrift-shop holiday consumer.
A retiree on a fixed income, Heller used to spend anywhere from $500 to $2,000 on Christmas. But she tired of putting herself in debt to pay for the holidays. This year, at a Clermont, Fla., thrift store called Well of Hope, she says she bought gifts for 20 family members on a budget of $70.
“My whole back room is stuffed with presents,” she said. “I just have gotten everything my grandkids love. ... I am just so thrilled I was able to do Christmas even though I don’t have the money.”
Experts say shoppers’ attitudes about buying secondhand have changed as resale shops have evolved. Many now offer a good selection of name-brand merchandise and offer extras such as gift cards. Some even offer a smattering of new merchandise, too.
“They’re not like dingy places that smell funny or are filled with castoffs,” said Sara Noel, who runs a Web site called Frugal Living and writes a syndicated newspaper column on frugality. “It’s a booming business.”
In a nod to the trend, the National Retail Federation this year added thrift and resale shops to its annual survey of where shoppers will spend their holiday dollars. It found that 11.4 percent of consumers planned to shop at such places.
“I think people are starting to look at the thrift stores in their neighborhoods in a different way these days,” said Kathy Grannis, a spokeswoman for the retail group.
One particularly popular segment is children’s clothing and toys. Many parents are buying secondhand gifts for their kids — who, after all, don’t care if Santa shops at a thrift store.
At the Altamonte, Fla., store of resale chain Children’s Orchard, used toys and books are popular.
“We put it up on the shelf, and it’s gone in 24 hours,” owner Jane Lockett said. Thomas the Tank Engine has sold particularly well.
Once Upon a Child, another national children’s resale chain, has seen similar trends.