As transport fares rise, driven by petrol price hike, some secondhand clothing traders in Dutse, Jigawa, have expressed concern over low patronage amid soaring prices.
Thrift wears (also called Okrika) are pre-owned or secondhand garments imported into Nigeria from Europe, America, and Asia.
They remain popular due to their durability, affordability, and unique styles, mainly found in markets, roadside outlets, boutiques, and online platforms.
“The trade is becoming less attractive,” the traders said in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), on Thursday in Dutse.
The trade provides a means of livelihood to many Nigerians in view of its lucrative nature.
However, high transport costs triggered by fuel price hike is forcing wholesalers, and retailers to pass these overhead expenses onto the end users to maintain their profit margins.
Mr Danladi Musa, a retailer, said that he now spent much in sourcing secondhand clothes due to rising transport costs.
He said the trend had forced them to push prices up, explaining that a fairly used children’s clothes sold for between N1,000 and N1,5000 per piece, as against N500 and N800, depending on its quality.
Adult shirts and trousers, he said, were sold at N3,500 and N6,000, as against its old price of N1,500 and N3,000, respectively.
“The rise in transport fare and the high prices charged by suppliers have affected our business and ultimately the prices paid by customers,” he said.
Another trader, Mr Sani Balarabe, said most of the clothes were sourced from Kano, adding that the high cost of transportation contributed significantly to the surge in prices.
“We either buy the clothes directly from Kano or from traders who sourced them from there. Considering the current transport costs, price increase is inevitable.
“For instance, a fairly used jean that sold for N2,500 some years ago now sells for between N4,500 and N7,000, while quality jackets now sell between N5,000 and N10,000, depending on their grades,” he said.
Balarabe lamented the declining patronage, noting that business was usually better during the cold season.
“Sales are currently low. Sometimes, one spends the whole day at the market and returns home with little or no sales.
“At times, the day’s sales are barely enough to cater for basic household needs,” he said.
Also, Mrs Asma’u Abdulkadir, a customer, said she has high preferences for secondhand clothes in spite of the exorbitant prices.
“I still buy these clothes in spite of the high prices because I have young children, they easily wear out or damage their clothes.
“So, I combine secondhand and new clothes to reduce expenses,” she said.
On his part, Mohammed Auwal, said many people now prioritized food and other essential needs over clothing purchases due to the economic crunch.
He, however, said many low-income families still depended on secondhand clothing because brand new clothes are beyond their reach. (NAN)
