Why have second-hand shops become more popular in Russia?

There's an economic factor to this too, which has become more significant over the years. People used to buy secondhand just because they couldn't afford new things, but now even those who can afford new stuff are deliberately choosing used - because prices on everything have gone up, while salaries haven't really kept pace. Plus there's growing criticism of consumerism: people are less willing to overpay for a brand or premium label if the item functions the same way.

I've noticed this firsthand when I was looking for dog walking gear - it's way easier now to sell and buy secondhand stuff online than it was ten years ago. Back then you'd have to find someone you knew or go to a flea market, but now you just open an app. I think it really comes down to accessibility: marketplaces and social media made the secondhand market visible and convenient, and people just started using what was always there more actively. Plus, with how tight money's been lately, nobody's forgotten about saving, so that really pushed the trend forward.

I think it's worth adding the issue of brand accessibility too. Before, buying something from a well-known brand was either really expensive or just impossible because there were no supplies - but in secondhand stores you can find original items at pretty reasonable prices. Now that many brands have either left or raised their prices, the secondhand market has become the only way for a lot of people to get quality stuff they've always wanted.

the question is a bit off - second-hand shopping really isn't anything new, it's just that now it's become part of the mainstream instead of something people were embarrassed about. people used to buy used stuff purely out of necessity and didn't advertise it, but now it's more of a cultural trend where even people with good income hunt for vintage items or save money on practical things.

but beyond the obvious reasons - savings, ecology, access to brands - there's also the convenience factor of how you actually buy things. before, you had to know where to look or have connections. now there's avito, vkontakte, dozens of specialized apps - everything's a click away. plus there's a much better chance of decent quality because seller reputation is visible to everyone. here's a tip: if you're buying clothes or shoes, search multiple places at once and check photos from different angles - often the same item gets listed in different places at different prices, or you can haggle in the comments before it sells.

another thing is that the internet let people find each other based on interests - communities of fans of specific brands popped up, they share info about quality, where to find good vintage stuff and how to avoid fakes. that cut down the risks and made the whole process more transparent.