'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
NDP motion regarding Palestinian statehood passes after major Liberal alterations
A motion from the federal New Democrats initially calling on Canada to recognize the 'State of Palestine' passed amid widespread acrimony on Monday, after the Liberals drastically altered its wording to see the government simply work towards that aim as part of a two-state solution.
'He didn't want to die': Family of Calgary man killed in standoff speaks out
Family of a Calgary man killed after a 30-hour standoff with police last week are speaking out, sharing details of the tense and heart-wrenching experience.
Toronto family doctor who called patient's body 'perfect' suspended for 3 months: tribunal
A family doctor in Toronto has been suspended for three months after a disciplinary tribunal found that he failed to follow proper protocols while examining a patient's breasts and made inappropriate comments about her body.
Ohio mom who left toddler alone 10 days when she went on vacation pleads guilty to aggravated murder
An Ohio mother whose 16-month-old daughter died after being left home alone in a playpen for 10 days last summer while she went on vacation was sentenced Monday to life in prison with no chance of parole.
Retired teacher pleads guilty to paying for sex with 15-year-old in Collingwood, Ont.
In a Barrie courtroom on Monday, a retired high school teacher from the Niagara Region pleaded guilty to sexual touching and obtaining sexual services from a 15-year-old boy in Collingwood in 2021.
Hertz CEO out following electric car 'horror show'
The company, which announced in January it was selling 20,000 of the electric vehicles in its fleet, or about a third of the EVs it owned, is now replacing the CEO who helped build up that fleet, giving it the company’s fifth boss in just four years.
5 charged in Calgary kidnappings that targeted women
Calgary police have charged five men in a pair of kidnappings last year that targeted innocent victims.
Demand soars for solar eclipse glasses in Canada. Are they worth buying?
The demand for total solar eclipse glasses used to safely view the rare celestial event has been ramping up as sellers, along with astronomy and eye-care experts in Canada, warn that viewing the eclipse with the naked eye is dangerous.
Canadian commander of volunteer fighter group dies in Ukraine
A Canadian-born commander of the so-called Norman Brigade, a volunteer fighting group in Ukraine, has died.