Thrifting becomes a necessity for young Albertans
By Sierra Dolson on April 22, 2026
For many young Albertans, shopping for new clothes doesn’t quite look the way it used to. With rent continuing to climb and groceries getting more expensive, clothing has fallen to the bottom of the priority list. As a result, more young adults are turning to thrift stores and not just because it’s trendy, but because it’s affordable.
According to Statistics Canada, clothing prices in Canada have risen 4.3 percent since 2022, and for students and young adults, this increase is getting hard to ignore.
“I definitely started thrifting because I grew up with it, my mom was always thrifting for me, so I guess when I grew up, it was just natural for me to continue with it, just for all-around sustainability and money-wise,” said Kiera Pom, a local Edmonton thrifter.
As the cost of living continues to rise, young people are being forced to make some sacrifices. Rent, transportation and food all come first, clothing often comes last. That’s where thrifting comes in.
According to ThredUp’s 2024 Resale Report, 65 percent of Gen Z shoppers prefer to shop second-hand, largely to save money. The report also predicts the second-hand market will double by 2027.
Even though saving money is the main reason many people start thrifting, style quickly becomes a big part of the appeal. Plus, social media is helping change how second‑hand clothing is perceived, with thrift hauls and outfit videos getting hundreds of thousands of views online.
For shoppers like Madi, thrifting makes it possible to experiment without spending too much.
“I definitely decided to thrift more often because, well, it’s cheaper, as a college student, it’s hard to afford like, everything in the store, and it helps me experiment with styles without spending too much and breaking my bank account,” said Madi Maltais, local college student.
What started as a response to inflation has turned into a way to stay creative and experimental with style, without overspending. Though while affordability is the driving force of the movement, sustainability follows. Many shoppers say thrifting made them more aware of how much clothing ends up in landfills.
From big chains like Value Village to small curated boutiques, Edmonton thrift stores have seen more and more young shoppers over the past few years. With inflation continuing to affect daily life, this trend doesn’t seem to be slowing down.
“We’ve definitely noticed the change. More and more people keep coming in because new clothing prices just keep going up, it’s insane, so I think it’s pushing shoppers to look for more affordable options like thrift stores and second hand confienment stores,” said Emma Clarke, owner of Revive Vintage.
For many, second‑hand fashion is no longer optional, it’s essential.
While sustainability plays a role, affordability remains the driving force behind the rise in thrifting among young Albertans. As inflation continues to rise, second‑hand thrift shopping offers a realistic option for those looking to save. The growing popularity of thrift stores suggests this shift isn’t slowing down anytime soon.