Malaysians embracing preloved shopping

PETALING JAYA: Like most of their Western counterparts who hunt for secondhand goods, more shoppers here are leaning towards preloved items as well.

Mel Suhaimi, who runs an online business selling thrifted rugs and fashion items from Thailand, said demand for preloved goods is high from customers in the Klang Valley, Penang and Ipoh.

Mel, 29, who is based in Kedah, said her customers would go for “one-of-a-kind items” that they can display at home or get a kick out of sporting unique outfits.

“As I often take part in weekend thrift sales in Kuala Lumpur, I see that the purchasing power and knowledge about preloved items is much more prevalent there, and people tend to buy for the quality.

“It is the same for Ipoh and Penang, as I source my items from Thailand which import the preloved goods from France and other countries, so the quality I get is often in mint condition,” said Mel, who is the founder of Sarongjer.

Mel also noted that the stiff competition within the thrift and fast fashion industry.

“Now, there are Tik Tok shops selling new clothes that are thrift inspired and with super cheap prices. So, I need to strategise.

“Even the prices of the bale (a compacted bundle of used clothing and fashion items around 50kg to 100kg) have gone up, but I am willing to source good quality products because there is still demand for it,” she added.

Jalan Jalan Japan, which sells preloved goods from Japan, foresees more interest in thrift shopping due to demand from sustainable-conscious shoppers as well as the younger generation who are seeking to dress according to the fashion trends.

Jalan Jalan Japan Facebook editor, Joe Sim, said regular customers often know what to get from their 11 branches in Klang Valley as they often collect limited edition items such as toys, ornaments, and kitchen utensils like cooking pots or even tea sets.