The thrill of saving money: Maritime thrift shops seeing sharp increase in sales, new clients
It’s a hobby that’s seen a spike in popularity in recent years, but these days it’s not just trend-seekers looking for retro glam flocking to thrift stores.
More people are turning to second-hand shops as a necessity, trying to save some money under cost-of-living pressures.
“Everywhere they turn, they're seeing more for fuel. They're seeing more for heat. For all of those necessities. How can I make my dollars last better?” asks Ted Troughton, the Salvation Army’s managing director for National Recycling Operations. “When they come into a thrift store they realize that there's a lot of great products, a lot of amazing donations that people bring in and it's an opportunity to make that dollar go further.”
Troughton says the Salvation Army has seen a large and consistent increase in sales at their Thrift Store locations year-over-year, since the pandemic.
And the uptick in traffic isn’t just from their regulars.
“We're up from pre-COVID times, probably close to 15 per cent in our transactions and sales through our stores. So we're seeing, you know, quite a demand and quite a need,” he said.
Troughton noted they’re seeing the uptick in store locations across the country, but even more so in the Maritimes.
In light of the increased traffic, he says they’re looking for more donations – everything from clothes, accessories and footwear, to household items like dishes and decorations.
The Salvation Army says they’re able to ensure about 95 per cent of what’s donated avoids the landfill – last year, that amounted to about 85 million tonnes saved.
It’s not the only second-hand location seeing an increase.
Furniture at a thrift store. (Laura Brown/CTV Atlantic)New Brunswick’s Habitat for Humanity’s CEO says business at their three Restore locations has also seen a consistent uptick in sales.
Already in 2024, Peter Kendall says they’re experiencing between five and 20 per cent – and that’s on top of the increases they saw last year.
“There's no question there’s more need for affordable options for individuals that just need a decent piece of furniture or they need to do some renovations to their home,” he said. “And this gives a much more affordable way to do that.”
And the money goes back into the community.
Clothing at a thrift store. (Laura Brown/CTV Atlantic)
The Restores cover all staff and overhead costs so that 100 per cent of monetary donations can be put toward building homes for those in need.
Which are also in more demand.
“We're currently in the process of finishing five homes, two here in Fredericton, two in Miramichi and one in Moncton. And then we have eight more homes that we're starting here over the next couple of weeks and months,” he said.
They’re also planning to open a fourth Restore location in Miramichi this year.
For the Salvation Army, the money goes toward a number of social programs.
“Whether it's rehabilitation or food banks, modern slavery, human trafficking prevention, all those areas. So when you're donating and you're shopping at our thrift stores, you're creating funds for that,” Troughton said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
PWHL Minnesota defeats Boston to win inaugural Walter Cup
Minnesota won the inaugural championship of the Professional Women’s Hockey League on Wednesday night, getting 17 saves from Nicole Hensley to beat Boston 3-0 in a winner-take-all Game 5 and claim the Walter Cup.
Canadians are eyeing moves to these cities for more affordable housing
Faced with elevated housing prices, half of Canadians in the country's largest cities are considering moving to places with more affordable housing.
B.C. mortgage broker ran $270-million Ponzi scheme, then fled Canada, bankruptcy trustee says
The trustee appointed to manage the bankruptcies of a Victoria mortgage company and its owner has concluded that they committed "numerous offences" and operated as a "massive Ponzi scheme."
Oilers rally to beat Stars, tie Western Conference Final
With the Edmonton Oilers down two goals late in the first period of Game 4, Rogers Place was quiet, fans seemingly bewildered at the early, quick scoring of the Dallas Stars and the slow start by the home team. Ryan McLeod's marker with six-and-a-half minutes in the opening frame left changed all that.
McDonald's says $18 Big Mac meal was an 'exception' and their prices haven't risen that much
McDonald’s is fighting back against viral tweets and media reports that it says have exaggerated its price increases.
'Targeted again': Montreal police investigate after gunshot fired at Jewish school
Police are investigating another building in Montreal's community was struck by gunfire.
Tessa Virtue reveals she's expecting her first child. Here's what Canadians had to say
Canadian figure-skating icon Tessa Virtue is expecting her first child, she revealed via social media Tuesday.
Poilievre says Canadians 'fleeing' to Nicaragua, Liberals say it shows he 'doesn't have a clue'
Liberal parliamentarians are criticizing Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre over a new video in which he promotes the idea that some Canadians are 'fleeing' Canada to live in Nicaragua because they can't afford a house in this country.
'Do not drive': Nissan warns Canadian drivers of explosion risk impacting 48,000 vehicles
Car manufacturer Nissan has issued a do-not-drive warning for some older vehicles equipped with Takata airbag inflators, due to the risk of explosion during a crash.