Consignment shops sell used merchandise and have always been popular places to find bargains. However, consumers are shopping at consignment shops more and more, and they are doing so for many reasons. Many shoppers are becoming concerned about being "green" and nothing says "green" more than recycling clothes or other merchandise by donating and buying at a consignment store. Additionally, bargains abound at consignment stores where stylish clothes, jewelry, furniture, antiques, athletic equipment, toys, musical instruments or house wares can be purchased at bargain prices. Some specialty consignment stores only accept high-end designer brand clothing and merchandise. The lower prices on these goods make it possible for many more shoppers to own designer label merchandise. However, the main reason an increasing amount of shoppers are flocking to consignment stores is the economy; consignment stores offer the merchandise and style consumers need at affordable prices, which is so very important in this economy.
Although the economy is showing signs of recovery, there are still plenty of consumers who are still carefully watching their budgets. During the recession, consumers, out of necessity, stopped buying clothes, jewelry, and other non-essential merchandise. Now as the economy recovers, consumers are still cautious about spending too much on clothes and consumable goods, yet consumers still want style. In addition to watching budgets, many consumers are undergoing sticker shock at the higher prices of many new consumer goods that have been hitting the shelves in recent months.
Clothing prices are rising because of increasing prices in raw materials and higher labor costs. Other merchandise is also posting higher prices because of higher demand and higher transportation costs due to the rising cost of gas. This is causing more consumers to look at what consignment shops have to offer in stylish merchandise that can allow their pay checks to buy more.
Consignment shops offer gently-used clothing and other merchandise at reasonable prices. Most consignment shops offer a large inventory of merchandise that is continuously updated. In addition to offering merchandise for a bargain price, consignment shops offer a way for consumers to make some money from their excess. Consignment shops provide a place to sell clothing, jewelry, or other items that are no longer being used. In this economy, any extra cash is a boon, and bargain shopping is an appreciated bonus.
One of the fastest growing segments at consignment shops is children's clothing and children's toys. Many children do not wear out clothes before they grow out of them. It makes good economic sense to buy used and then sell the clothes and toys when the children have grown out of them. The same economic principle applies to toys.
