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
More Canadians only making minimum payment on credit cards: TransUnion
Some Canadians are seeing their credit card balances grow as the cost-of-living crisis and higher interest rates eat into household budgets, a new report shows.
Severe thunderstorms, 15 cm of snow: Canadian weather forecast highlights
Well into spring, some parts of Canada could experience a wintry comeback, while other areas are bracing for severe thunderstorms, according to local forecasts.
Tornado touches down west of the Island of Montreal
Emergency services in the town of Rigaud, Que. are investigating after a tornado touched down shortly after 5:30 p.m. on Friday.
House from 'Home Alone' hits the market for US$5.25 million
Kevin McCallister’s childhood home has hit the market for US$5.25 million. At just over 9,000 square feet, the house from the 'Home Alone' movie was last sold in 2012 for $1,585,000.
Teen was doing homework at family's Mississauga, Ont. restaurant when gunman opened fire: testimony
The 13-year-old sister of a young man killed in the attack on her family’s Mississauga restaurant in 2021 took the stand in a Brampton courthouse on Monday to describe the terrifying moments of coming under fire.
Israeli tanks advance into Rafah's centre despite global outcry
Israeli tanks advanced to the centre of Rafah for the first time on Tuesday, witnesses said, three weeks into a ground offensive in the southern Gaza city that has stirred global condemnation for its continued civilian toll.
At least 60 reports of Lyme disease so far as Ontario enters tick season
Peak tick season is only just beginning but reports of bites – and tick-borne illnesses – are already higher than normal in Ontario.
What a CBSA strike could look like, according to an expert
Slowed or interrupted travel, the passing of goods and significantly restricted borders should be expected if Canadian border workers take upcoming strike action.
Arm of mummy came off after mishandling by museum staff: Mexican government
Mexico's federal archaeology agency on Monday accused the conservative-governed city of Guanajuato of mistreating one of the country’s famous mummified 19th century bodies.