CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Thrifting is becoming more popular in the United States, according to a 2022 resale report from online thrift store thredUP. 

The report says second-hand shopping in the country has grown 32% since 2021.

The WearHouse is a thrift store in Charlotte that donates proceeds to the nonprofit Camino, which helps the Latino immigrant community in Charlotte. Paola Garcia with The WearHouse says they have seen an increase in customers locally as well.

“Within the last three to four months as other prices in the area have gone up, we have noticed an increase in people coming to shop here,” Garcia said. “Not only have we noticed an increase of people coming in, but we have noticed an increase in the amount of items they are purchasing while they are here.”

Garcia says sales are up almost 20% this year compared to last year.

Alexis Zarycki is an avid thrifter in the Charlotte area. She has been thrifting since she was a kid. She says she has noticed the difference between the thrift stores she grew up going to and the thrift stores she visits now. 

“Not only have the facilities become a lot cleaner; a lot more shopper friendly, a lot more inventory, but I also have noticed the pricing has increased a little bit. But again, that’s just because the world’s increased with pricing and inflation,” Zarycki said.

Zarycki, who now runs a TikTok that shows her unique thrifting finds, says she buys everything from clothes, to furniture, to gifts from thrift stores.

She says part of the reason is that it is more sustainable. 

“Fast fashion is something that is kind of ruining our landfills, so I feel like when you thrift, at least you can take these recycled items ... and you can just give it a second life, instead of it just going in the trash,” Zarycki said.  

The company thredUP says conscious shoppers could be the reason more people are buying items second hand.