How Inflation is affecting the thrift stores

 

It seems that Inflation has hit a 40 year high affecting everything from gas prices, housing, food, and consumer goods.  Inflation started to creep up on us back in December 2021 as the pandemic took its toll on employees who were resistant to going back to work again for low wages.  No one was willing to risk their lives again for low wages, the risk of being exposed to unvaccinated people and people who refused to wear a mask was simply overwhelming for many entering the job force again.  

Inflation has its root causes and there are many causes contributing to it such as the supply chain disruption, there were many truck drivers that refused to work during the pandemic.  Those that did work refused to adhere to the mask mandates rules.  Canada had recent protests where truckers used trucks to jam traffic and prevent supplies from being delivered.   Many Americans supported the Canadian protests.  The disruption of the supply chain such as ports full of cargo that hasn’t been delivered to stores has caused shelves to become bare.  With the supply, not being delivered the prices for those goods have gone up.

Truck drivers not delivering the products to the stores has caused supply chain disruptions.  The great resignation has caused many Americans to look for higher-paying jobs as they switch jobs or quit.

Higher gas prices at the pump are making goods and services become more expensive as these businesses pass the cost down to the consumer.    

All of these factors have contributed to Inflation.   Inflation is affecting the thrift stores because more people are going to the thrift stores to find consumer goods that they would otherwise purchase at a retail store.  

Fewer people are donating to thrift because they would rather resell items on eBay, Facebook marketplace, Mercari, and Poshmark.  As opposed to donating like before the Inflation hit the public.   People need money and are making money by sales of items at garage sales flea markets and online sales.  

Thrift stores are raising their prices as Inflation hits most retail stores.  Clothing is becoming more expensive in both retail and thrift stores.  Even though, some thrift stores have prices that are less than the retail prices in comparison.   

The thrift stores are increasing in volume and increasing their prices.