What makes second-hand used clothing a profitable business?
The second-hand used clothing industry is a large and profitable. It may surprise you that consumers buy used for a variety of reasons. Some
have no means to purchase new clothing every time or want to save money by buying only second-hand clothing. This business can make
money. It is simple to start and easy to run. Second-hand clothing is one of those businesses that can be started with little investment and
still earn high profits. But it’s not just about buying low and selling high; you also have to consider selling the item as fast as possible so you
can go on to purchase more. The profit depends on various factors such as the store’s location and marketing strategy – today’s era is all
about technology, and many business owners divert it through online marketing and the quality of the item you are selling. However, once
you start making sales and familiarizing yourself with the market, it will be easy to move through these initial challenges as long as you have
enough capital to keep running your business smoothly until it becomes successful. Another way to increase profit is finding suppliers willing
to give better deals because they have more volume than other suppliers. Panela Tobias (Ukay Ukay) is one of the oldest suppliers of second-
hand used clothing in the Philippines that provides a wide variety of clothing. So, if you have considered starting this business, we encourage
you to start today!

Brand Awareness

How do you market secondhand clothes online?
Many shoppers have normalized online selling of used clothing. A good analogy to consider is a lower price and long-lasting quality.

The first step in launching a successful online business is to secure a reliable supplier who can supply you with goods over the long term. The
second step is to look for online channels, such as social media, that are a good fit for you and are easy to operate, whether they are for live
selling or photo sharing. Last but not least, the materials that you will use to bring your marketing approach into action, such as a mannequin,
camera, photo editor, lighting, steamer, and many more.

Tips to sell used clothes through image posting:

 

1. 1. Item. Be sure to click for a clearer picture. Showing how it looks on the mannequin catches the attention of the viewer. When taking flat-lay
      photographs, it can be interesting to experiment with adding jewellery or a handbag.
   2. Describe in detail. The description helps the shopper understand the item. You must indicate the size, fabric, colour, and condition of the item
      to manage their expectations.
   3. Able to respond. You are going to be flooded with questions. Accordingly, it is important that you answer before customers lose interest in
      purchasing your products.
   4. Shipping. Once the customer has confirmed the order and agreed to the terms, the transaction is almost complete. The delivery stage comes
      next. Having a fast and reliable carrier is a plus for your business. Customers will evaluate not only the quality of your goods but also how quickly
      they receive their orders.

 

What are the benefits of buying used clothing?
Used clothing is an excellent substitute for new clothing. Some of the benefits of purchasing used clothing:

Cheap clothes:
Buying second-hand clothes is a great way to save some money. It offers you the chance to get something more unique at a much lower price
than if you bought it new.

Fashionable clothing:
Second-hand clothing is also a trendsetter, which makes it more interesting than buying new garments every single day. It gives you the
opportunity to be creative with your outfit by mixing and matching different styles of clothing into one stylish outfit!

Quality:
You can find designer brands and other high-end items that are still in great condition. The best-quality materials used in making these garments
make them comfortable, durable, and long-lasting as if you had just bought them new.

Good for the environment:
When you buy second-hand clothes, you are not just contributing to the production of more waste. Rather, you are keeping clothes out of
landfills. This can help in the reduction of pollution and other environmental harm brought on by improper disposal of used items.

Therefore, secondhand clothing is more economical, and it gives you the chance to try out new styles without spending too much money.

Secondhand items that Panela Tobias (Ukay Ukay) provides
Ukay Ukay is a sorting company for wide variety of used items that allows you to purchase in bulk or retail. Ukay Ukay is derived from a
Filipino word that means digging up used clothes. We have been delivering the best quality used items all over the world since 2013. Our quality
products and loyal customer base have allowed us to thrive in this industry for a long time. The range of secondhand items has always been
broad. Items thrown away by others are also a source of income for many.

Here are the items we provide:

Used clothes. Clothes that have previously been worn or pulled from the manufacturer or malls. Many consumers consider clothing to be a
necessity. We provide a great selection of used clothes, from tops, bottoms, dresses, jumpsuits, swimwear, and many more items that are
available for all occasions and seasons. It is appropriate for all ages, including newborns, teenagers, adults, and the elderly.

Used Shoes. Many buyers are shoe enthusiasts who spend a lot of money on their purchases, but those who want to save money look for less
expensive pairs at thrift shops. Even though the shoes were released years ago and show signs of wear, they still nailed it.

Used Bags. If you want to fill your closet with bags, then preloved or secondhand is the way to go. There are many styles, such as wallets,
shoulder bags, tote bags, sling bags, backpacks, and more, as well as non-authentic and authentic brands.

Other used items such as used caps, toys, household materials, and other accessories.

Why are secondhand clothes becoming more popular?
Due to pandemic restrictions on reaching a wider audience, secondhand is dominating globally, particularly online. Since there is no physical
contact between buyers and sellers, many sellers have switched to e-commerce.

Consumers are already seeing secondhand shopping as worthwhile, which has caused demand to skyrocket. According to thredUP’s report, In
2021, 244 million consumers say they have or are open to shopping for secondhand products.

Vintage or retro items, which are very popular among buyers today but are difficult to find in retail stores but are frequently found in second-
hand stores, are examples of how trends change and evolve. Younger generations contributed to this, as they are more interested in the latest
fashions.

It can be a more affordable option than buying new clothes. Consumers minimize their spending power yet purchase more used clothing
compared to new clothing. Fluctuations in the economy fueled consumers to buy cheaper items. A new piece of cloth would be equivalent to
four or five used pieces. Who else isn’t convinced to pay less?

Moreover, as the popularity of used clothing continues to grow, it is also becoming more digitally accessible. According to Thred UP GlobalData,
2022 Market Sizing and Growth Estimates “online resale is the fastest-growing sector of secondhand and is expected to grow nearly 4X by 2026”.