Over eight in 10 Australians have engaged in second-hand shopping according to a new study commissioned by global thrift retailer Savers, with the research confirming that thrift shopping is done more for treasure hunting than saving money.
The research comes as Savers Australia expanded into New South Wales this year, adding to 12 existing stores in both Victoria and Adelaide.
Of those who said they have purchased second-hand items regularly, more than seven in 10 (74 per cent) say a quarter of their wardrobe is thrifted.
Meanwhile, 42 per cent of the around 1,000 Australians surveyed shopped second-hand for the ‘treasure-hunting’ experience, compared to just 23 per cent who cited price as a driving factor. Savers Australia claimed this may be aligned with how consumers value the broader benefits of thrift.
Half of the Australians surveyed see thrifters as more creative with their style, which is more pronounced in younger generations (60 per cent of Gen Z).
Sustainable shopping is also considered a positive trait by three in 10 adult Australians surveyed, which also increased for younger generations - or four in 10 of both Gen Z and Millennials. More than a third (37 per cent) held people who embrace savvy shopping in higher regard.
“While the positive impact second-hand shopping has on hip pockets and the planet continues to make thrift trendy, the research shows it’s so much more than that – second-hand shoppers are a community of savvy treasure hunters who thrift for the thrill of the find,” Savers Australia managing director Michael Fisher said.
“Amidst rising living costs, Australians are looking for innovative ways to purchase their fashion items, without breaking the bank.”
The research also covered sustainability, with 78 per cent of Australians surveyed acknowledging the importance of sustainable fashion in consumer culture.
A significant 81 per cent of consumers surveyed now recognise that choosing second-hand clothing can substantially reduce an individual's environmental impact, with women (84 per cent) and younger generations (Millennials at 85 per cent and Gen Z at 84 per cent) leading the way.
The research also revealed that more than half (52 per cent) of Australians surveyed see sustainability as a key factor in fashion purchase decisions, with two-thirds admitting to now altering their buying habits in favour of eco-friendliness.
"The research underscores a powerful shift in consumer mindsets, where sustainability is no longer an afterthought but a necessity guiding consumers' purchasing decisions,” Fisher said.
In addition to embracing second-hand fashion, almost half (45 per cent) of those surveyed claim to utilise ways to extend the lifespan of their wardrobe, by restyling (25 per cent), repurposing fabrics (11 per cent), and adding embellishments (9 per cent) – a behaviour particularly pronounced among Gen Z (56 per cent).
The research comes as Savers opened it Hoxton Park store in Sydney, housing more than 100,000 SKUs across various retail categories, and particularly fashion.
Savers sources its merchandise by purchasing donations collected by not-for-profit partners.