Within the United States, different cities and communities obviously have different relationships with the second hand industry. But I am also curious to compare the second hand store industry existence and meaning in different parts of the globe and different cultures. Very brief, initial searching (using wikipedia and Google Trends) makes it seem to only be relevant in Canada, U.S., Australia, New Zealand & U.K.
Further research led me to these interesting contexts to explore thrifting in other regions:
- “Identity in old clothes: the socio-cultural dynamics of second–hand clothing in Irbid, Jordan” (Na’Amneh, M.M. ; Al Husban, A.K. 2012)
“This paper investigates the socio-cultural dynamics underlying the consumption of second–hand clothing ( al-Balih ) in Irbid city, northern Jordan. It primarily examines the various images and meanings that consumers attach to used clothes imported primarily from the West. Al-Balih is conceived of as a social space where multiple imaginations and images meet and interact. Put another way, it tends to blur the conventional socio-economic distinctions that mark Jordanian society. In light of the recent economic hardship that Jordanians have faced due to the late alarming rise in most commodity prices, more people are turning to shopping atsecond–hand stores. The growth of the second–hand clothing trade can be seen as a testament to the strong demand by consumers for varied and inexpensive products. The paper adopts an anthropological framework in terms of its methodology and analysis. Ethnographic data were collected primarily through conducting in-depth interviews with consumers and shops owners.”
2. “Buying clothes from thrift stores: an analysis of young people consuming second–hand clothing in Rio de Janeiro” (Sílvia Borges Corrêa ; Veranise Jacubowski Correia Dubeux 2015)
“This article presents the results of a research that analyzed the consumption of second–hand clothing among young people in the city of Rio de Janeiro. Theoretically speaking, the research was guided by the anthropological perspective of consumption. The research was conducted based on the ethnographic method with participant observation and in-depth interviews. The results show the relationships between consumers and merchandise and reveal the main motivations for buying second–hand clothing and accessories.”
3. “JAPAN: Shuttered stores become second hand outlets” (Michael Fitzpatrick 2010)