“People come from far away to shop for second-hand clothes in Albi”: second-hand goods triumph in the Tarn

Thrift stores are not experiencing the crisis. In the city center of Albi, these second-hand shops have multiplied recently between the move of Whitelodge, rue de l'hôtel de ville or M La Fringue, rue des Foissants last April. In addition to these shops, the Octopus Market, the second-hand clothes market is held every second Sunday of the month at the Castelviel fairground, proof of a real craze for second-hand goods: “People come from far and wide to shop for second-hand clothes in Albi Some come from Rodez or Toulouse on purpose,” says Jérôme, manager of Kokomo and initiator of the Octopus Market.

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Faced with the numerous offers from thrift stores, customers are always there. She is eager to discover new pieces every week and thus be at the forefront of the trend. Rather Levi's jeans, leather jackets or wool sweater… There is something for all tastes and all prices.

An increasingly large customer base

Some are used to it and manage to find unique pieces, others are taking the plunge for the first time like Anne and Fabienne, in the Kokomo boutique, rue Saint-Clair: “We're looking for ideas for cool clothes. We don't have We're used to this type of store, we like the concept, it gives a second life to the clothing, it's less expensive and not necessarily worn out.”

Students, retirees, parents with children… The many second-hand stores in Albi are aimed at all ages and respond to customer demand for more ethical consumption and at more affordable prices. “It’s cyclical, it’s a state of mind. There are several types of customers: eco-friendly ones, those who come for the look and others because it’s fashionable,” says Jérôme, manager of the Kokomo

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Each thrift store has its own style

Thrift stores may be plentiful in downtown Albi, but each has its own distinct style. At Kokomo, we focus on the American style of the 80s and 90s, Luckies mainly offers a range of alternative clothing, while White Lodge leans more towards gothic, punk and pin-up. “Each thrift store has its own world, its own identity and its own identity,” explains Sophia in her Luckies store. “We are not in a competitive market. We do not offer the same pieces. It is important to stand out,” adds the manager of Kokomo.

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All these thrift stores have one thing in common: the search for quality clothing and fabrics. A characteristic highly appreciated by customers: “If I come to a thrift store, it's for the originality, but above all the quality. The big brands, fast fashion, they deteriorate quickly and they all offer the same thing” , explains Élisa, a fan of thrift stores since childhood. Customers just have to hunt around, search the bins and assert their vintage style.