Want to Know Who's Making Money in this Economy?

When times get tougher and cash flow gets smaller, consumers get more creative. Especially those consumers with luxurious appetites. One niche that seems to be flourishing during these leaner times are the thrift, resale and vintage shops.

Designer consignment stores such as The Way We Wore, who boasts such labels as YSL and Halston, has seen a 22% increase in sales over last year while Decadestwo Van Nuys Blvd. dvd , who carriesonly the creme de la creme of vintage designers reports sales are up 45% from last summer. These stores are not only seeing more shoppers coming in, but also more consignors looking to sell off last year’s Louboutin’s. Both parties win, the stores get an influx of new pieces to keep all their new customers engaged and the sellers get nice little return on their expensive investments.

This boost on sales isn’t limited to the designer resalers however, according to Los Angeles Times staff writer, Emili Vesiland. In her article Secondhand clothes, with sales rising, are the new scaled-back chic

, “The great purge in L.A.’s closets has also translated into healthy sales at charitable thrift stores, including the Salvation Army and Goodwill, as well as secondhand outposts such as the Buffalo Exchange in Highland Park and Santa Monica…Sales at the Salvation Army stores in Santa Monica are up 7%-12% from the previous year.”

So…please don’t tell me NO ONE is making money right now. I know it seems tough, but if we just get a little creative, we might find there is opportunity right under our noses…or at least in our closets!

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