For subscribers
The relentless rise of the second-hand economy
From Ikea to Vinted, younger consumers are showing a taste for pre-owned clothes and furniture. But can the sector actually make money?
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox
The second-hand economy has been dominated in the West by not-for-profit charity and thrift stores.
PHOTO: REUTERS
Richard Milne
Follow topic:
When Lego started testing a service to receive and reuse second-hand bricks, the Danish toymaker soon ran into a problem: People would send in other things as well. Soda cans, shoes, lots of hair – all came mingled with the iconic plastic bricks, according to a senior executive.
Worst of all: Workers once opened a Lego treasure chest to find an entire set of children’s teeth in it.
