Indonesia is reported to have become a destination for 'disposing' used clothes from other countries. This has been particularly caused by the trend of importing secondhand clothing to be resold. Hence, it is no wonder that in major cities across Indonesia, secondhand clothing stores thrive vigorously, much like mushrooms during rainy season.
The fast fashion trend is indeed at its peak of sweetness. Bandung has its Cimol Gedebage Market, Jakarts boasts its Pasar Senen and Medan features Pajak Melati, Pajak Simalingkar and Pajak Sambu---to name only a few---as the mascots of thrifting hubs. I am confident that in major cities across this nation, similar places can also be found quite abundantly.
A Highly Promising Business OpportunityÂ
The thrifting business is really tempting. For sellers with minimum capital, substantial profits can be gained. Therefore, it is no surprise that many thrifting entrepreneurs, who initially started their small-scale enterprise, experience rapid growth in their businesses within a relatively short period. Their revenue increases and the customer base expands. They are diversifying their sales efforts by operating in both brick-and-mortar and digital spheres.
Selling, especially in the present era with the proliferation of online fashion shopping websites, has become more accessible. Social media also contributes to this trend. Many thrifting entrepreneurs market their products through live broadcasts on platforms like Facebook, Instagram or TikTok. Â Buyers also benefit from this trend. They can acquire branded clothing at affordable prices, with relatively good quality even though the items are secondhand.
When you visit one of these secondhand clothing stores, you will find that most of these thrifting traders have been in this business for many years. It is through this business that they sustain themselves, build homes, and educate their children up to university level.
Consider Melin Maria Tampubolon, who, by way of illustration, has been deeply engaged in the enterprise of trading pre-owned garments for a span of three years. Preceding her marital union, during her pursuit of higher education she concurrently provided assistance to her mother's brick-and-mortar vending endeavors within the vicinity of the traditional marketplace near their domicile in the Simalingkar district of Medan. However, with the advent of the global Covid-19 pandemic, their commercial undertakings necessitated cessation. Presently, subsequent to her nuptials and while concurrently discharging her duties as an educator, she has resurrected her thrift commerce, albeit in the digital sphere.
"My husband and I do indeed work as educators. However, we are both employed in the private sector, where our earnings are not particularly substantial. Moreover, considering that we now have two children, naturally, our expenses are more extensive. Therefore, the venture of selling secondhand clothing genuinely proves to be immensely beneficial," she articulated.
Emerging Potential Threats
While proven to significantly boost the community's economy, the trend of secondhand clothing trading holds the potential to pose substantial detrimental threats. Notably, at least two sectors bear the brunt of its adverse effects: the domestic textile industry and environmental well-being.
Due to these very real threats, the government eventually took the official step of prohibiting the thrifting business, as outlined in the Minister of Trade Regulation (Permendag) No. 40 of 2022 concerning Amendments to Minister of Trade Regulation No. 18 of 2021 regarding Prohibited Export and Import Goods.
