Despite the balancing act between big business and social hardship, the trade in domestic used goods is currently in full swing. While Caritas & Co. tries to help, others sense the opportunity to make a profit.
Whether from an environmental point of view, for savings reasons – or because it’s just cool: buying second-hand items is becoming increasingly popular. According to calculations by the trade association, the domestic market would be worth more than two billion euros. A trend is becoming mainstream: “Almost every second citizen buys second-hand goods several times a year and spends an average of 195 euros per year,” director Rainer Will summarizes his analysis.
The basic social idea obviously plays the largest role at Caritas. The Carla stores throughout the country are points of contact for the poorest of the poor. Special discount promotions and a sophisticated voucher system with the Carla Card Plus offer those in need a shopping experience for just a few euros.
There are hardly any supplies: “Business is going well and we receive a lot of donations. Our credo is: everything you would give to your neighbor can be brought to us,” explains Petra Rabl, manager of a Carla location in the federal capital. There are currently a total of 61 locations, making it easy to help in any diocese. Right now, Advent calendars for the little ones and clothes and sleeping bags for winter emergency relief are at the top of the wish list, they say.
The trend towards designer brands also entails expensive risks
But the social impact is not always the decisive factor when choosing second-hand goods. About 75 percent of users estimate that they can buy more goods (see chart) than usual with the same budget and try to save money at the same time.
The trend towards used items has also reached the luxury segment. There are more and more stores and online portals offering designer fashion. Buying a luxury handbag can prove to be an investment, but there is also the risk of purchasing counterfeit items at a high price.
Second chance for old furniture
The crowds at the 48er-Tandler in Vienna-Margareten are already big in the morning. Things rescued from the rubbish of the Danube metropolis are offered here. The range varies from books to clothing to furniture. The goods are presented in a sales promotion manner. Only at second glance do you notice that it is second-hand. Noemi (45) is currently looking around at the contents with her daughter. The Hungarian woman used her day off today to go shopping in Vienna.
The 48 Tandler is on the program. “I’ve been here several times,” she says, looking around at the household items. This time she buys some china. The 45-year-old bought small furniture such as chairs and a serving trolley, which she bought on previous visits and brought to her home in Hungary.
Magdalena and Vanessa also like to rummage through the old things. Magdalena admits that half of her apartment consists of used furniture. Today she chooses books.
The second-hand market not only offers used items; recycling companies also take the opportunity to display their creations. There are no limits to your imagination. There is seating made from bathtubs or shopping carts.
The proceeds from the goods rescued from the manure go to charities such as the Oberquartier Wien or the association for e-movement therapy.
Source: Krone
I’m Ben Stock, a journalist and author at Today Times Live. I specialize in economic news and have been working in the news industry for over five years. My experience spans from local journalism to international business reporting. In my career I’ve had the opportunity to interview some of the world’s leading economists and financial experts, giving me an insight into global trends that is unique among journalists.
