'People want to save money': Popularity of consignment and thrift stores growing as cost of living climbs
If you find your dollar isn't going as far as it once did, you are not alone. That means more people are turning to consignment and thrift stores to save a buck.
At A to Z Kids, a consignment store in Langford, business is booming. Raising kids is not cheap, especially when you are trying to outfit your life to care for a newborn.
“People want to save money for sure with increased costs of living, rent and groceries,” said Heidi Pitts, the store’s owner.
As a general rule, Pitts prices her items for about half of what the product would cost new. She says traffic in her store has increased this year by roughly 20 per cent. It’s not just people needing to save money, she has also seen an increase in people that are feeling looking to make some extra income.
“This is a way for them to be able to sell their items and get money back for their kids, to buy other things,” said Pitts.
“Prices are on the march, no doubt about it,” said Dr. Mark Colgate, professor of business with the University of Victoria.
Colgate says B.C.’s inflation rate is sitting at around four percent. That’s higher than we’ve seen in the last 20 to 30 years.
He says there is a number of factors contributing to that high inflation rate.
Grocery costs have increased. Housing prices have skyrocketed and energy costs have risen.
“When basic items cost more, like food, gas and shelter, then you’re going to have to cut money on other things,” said Colgate.
Kate Charlebois is the marketing design and partnership co-ordinator at Victoria Women in Need Community Co-operative (WIN).
“Our gift certificate program in particular has seen a 40 per cent increase in the number of program participants,” said Charlebois.
That program allows women and trans, non-binary and two spirit people in need to shop freely in the store. Shoppers use gift certificates provided by WIN, with money raised through the store’s retail sales and donors.
“We’re seeing an increase need in people being able to access goods, such as warm clothing for wintertime, as well as housewares to furnish their homes,” said Charlebois.
Charlbois says in 2021, WIN helped 2,002 program participants in their journey to wellness and self-sufficiency.
Colgate expects prices to continue to rise over the next couple of years, but does expect the inflation rate to come back down to a more familiar 2 per cent by 2024.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.