Tight economy leads to rebirth of resale stores
Martin Lopos walked out of the Goodwill store in Mundelein pleased with his purchase. He paid only $9.99 for a new tower fan that sells for at least $40 at regular retail stores.
"I come in and look around a couple days a week," said the Mundelein man, who like many, is attempting to stretch his dollar as far as he can.
Cash strapped consumers hungry for bargains are finding deep discounts and amazing merchandise at a venue growing in popularity - the Goodwill store.
The nonprofit company, which started its retail growth plan before the recession, is seeing sales increase as Americans try to make every penny count. April sales in the suburban Illinois region increased 5.5 percent over last year, said Cheryl Lightholder, manager of communications for Goodwill. The spike in sales comes at a time when other retailers struggle to bring in shoppers.
More than ever before, the resale stores are attracting a new, younger clientele with perhaps a slightly higher income.
"We're seeing younger shoppers, in their 30 to 50s, that have a thrill in resale shopping and are trying to save some money during this tough economy," Lightholder said. When consumers' confidence increases, the company is hopeful they will keep those shoppers.
Meanwhile, other suburban resale shops and Salvation Army stores also are seeing more shoppers looking for deals.
"People come into the resale shop that may have never shopped resale before. This economy is forcing them to watch their dollars and cents," said Aaron Muller, owner of Barrington Resale Gallery, which recently relocated from Lake Barrington to Algonquin.
"Our sales have increased as people's dollars have to be stretched," Lightholder agreed.
When shoppers walk into a Goodwill store for the first time, they're often stunned with the deals, with clothes neatly hung according to size, color and style. Housewares, sporting equipment, shoes, purses and even wedding dresses are found at the 15 stores in Illinois, including in Arlington Heights, Bartlett, Batavia, Carol Stream, Carpentersville, Glendale Heights, Lake Zurich, Mundelein, Naperville and South Elgin. Another two are expected to open this season in Elmhurst and Montgomery.
"Shoppers are amazed at what they find at the store. You never know what you'll find," Lightholder said. New donations are put out on a daily basis, which means timing is important.
Because donations are heaviest on the weekends, Monday is considered the best day to shop.
During a recent stop to an area Goodwill store, items on display included golf clubs selling for $1.99, $6.99 bowling balls, $1.49 men's silk ties, and a like-new Wilson women's leather jacket with a $29.99 price tag.
An unwrapped Disney Sing It video game for PlayStation 3 was selling for $14.99 compared to about $29 in regular stores. Wedding dresses ranging from $24.99 to $100 await a bride to be and youth-sized jerseys sporting the names of Michael Jordan, Nomar Garciaparra and Paul Konerko ranged in price from $4.99 to $6.99.
"It's like a treasure hunt. I love it," said Lorraine Garcia while shopping at the Goodwill in Lake Zurich. The avid resale shopper said her best finds include a $60 roasting pan that she picked up for $20 and a $3 outdoor Christmas decoration that lit up her Arlington Heights yard.
Shoppers looking for a summer read will find hardcover books for $1.79 and paperbacks 89 cents. It's not unusual to find designer or name brand clothes, sometimes with the original sales tags still attached.
Meme Sherwood of Long Grove recently tried on a $100 pair of Bardolino sandals that sell for $6.99 at the Mundelein store.
The merchandise that is donated at a particular store stays at that location to be sold. So shoppers often travel to stores located in wealthier communities when looking for high-end merchandise. In addition to individual donations, companies donate out-of-season merchandise to Goodwill, which has been around for 90 years.
"Donations are how we generate revenue," Lightholder said.
The revenue from the retail operations is used to help fund job training for people with disabilities. The stores only display "gently used" items. The rest is sold to secondary markets.
Meanwhile, the company is working to capture a younger market to its stores through a recent billboard campaign where young adults and teens are holding designer purses or shoes.
"We're trying to target the younger folks. They're very savvy," Lightholder said.
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