The second percher, a new opportunity for used clothing

If you look for them in shopping centers, you will not find them.Nor will you see advertising campaigns from them.However, slogan stores have been in Panama for more than 20 years and, although there is little talk about them, they are not a secret.Mrs. Elsa Nevah, owner of La Casita (in Bethany), recalls that when she decided to open her business in 1996 there were already one or two stores of this type in a downstream river.With “slogan stores” it refers to places where people wear their used clothes, the store sells it and then the money is divided between the seller and the supplier.

The model comes from the United States, according to Rosalind Baitel, who was a teacher in the channel area and has been living in Panama for 30 years, of which 15 has dedicated them to its promises store.Although it may be perception that with the existence of large shopping centers in the country (with different price offers), the Panamanian does not opt for these stores, their owners say there is a market.Baitel believes that although before there was a stigma with respect to the clothes used among the Panamanians, as owner of the store that opened in 2000, he has noticed some changes.For example, many Panamanians have studied abroad, visit slogan stores and "love it"."When they return to Panama they already understand the concept.In addition, it is a green business, ”he says.On the other hand, Nevah perceives that “the Panamanian, in general, likes the brand a lot.Other people prefer quality, which looks good and has a good price.I consider an intelligent person who wants to save ".To save, to get brand clothes at a cheaper price, to find something original or, simply, to give new life to second -hand clothes in good condition, there are customers and suppliers faithful to this model, which even uses the networkssocial as showcase.

Wedding dresses, night costumes, tuxedos, something they gave him and did not like it or did not like, or simply a piece that no longer uses.Maybe it has happened to her that she has in her closet she does not wear, but that she is in good condition and does not know who to give her or how to get any compensation for her.

Those clothes, wallets or accessories could have a new opportunity in slogan stores.

Stores like promises, the house and, more recently, Pilomena receive these products provided they meet certain requirements.

The conditions that have in common the three establishments are: that the clothes are clean, without spots or holes or odors.The presentation of the clothes when showing it to these stores can help to be chosen for sale.The best -selling pieces are accessories, work clothes and night dresses, which in some cases also rent.“For the issue of infrastructure and space, we try to do it a little organized, that we have appointments, that we know more or less with how many pieces will come and what will bring, so as not to bring things that will not applyFor sale, ”explains Lourdes Arosemena, from Pilomena.

There is no specific setting profile, according to Arosemena."Anyone I am sure that they have cool things in their closet and have good things that could apply for sale.".In that sense, the promise model is different.The store works with beneficial institutions.It is through these institutions that clothes arrive.The money collected is given to the foundation that donated it."People who buy receive a high -value article at a very low price, and for them it is a winning," says Roselind Baitel, owner of the store.As for the house, the profits are distributed in equal parts.Who buy in these stores?"They are people like you and like me.Professional people, young people, media people, politics, many people from the diplomatic corps, schools, banks, ”says Baitel.Eco Chicpilomena is a small store with two years of existence.Upon entering it gives the impression of being a new clothing boutique, and it is that for the Arosemena sisters the presentation is important.Among its policies is the concept of "eco chic", which seeks three components: that clothes are new, reusable and have style.“For us the brand is not so important, in fact it is not important.If you have an interesting brand, well;But if you don't have it and have a lot of style, we are a little more like the style, ”says Lourdes.The store is considering a corporate social responsibility project, to teach young people who need opportunities and get a line of clothing made from which it is not sold.‘Bazaar Baby’s mother, Nicole González knew that babies and young children stop using very soon, even if it is in very good condition.A television program that sells children clothes gave him the idea of creating Bazaar Baby.Together with Dominque Buitrago, his partner, he sells second -hand clothes from newborn up to seven -year -old children, through a Facebook page.“At first we had fear or doubt that people were to accept second clothes, but the answer is very good.Once a month we make bazaars in public places.Little by little they realize that the merchandise is in good condition, that we have a good eye for the selection, ”says González.The advantage of this type of business, according to Buitrago, is that customers from other provinces can also be captured."Our market in other provinces is 60%.We capture people from Columbus, Penonomé, Aguadulce, Chitré ”, details.And on the virtual store, consider that “there has been growth due to the reception that social networks have had at the local level.The entrance of the smartphones makes it more profitable ”.

Towards a collaborative consumption model

The economic crisis made another look at the forms of consumption in Spain.One of the aspects of the so -called collaborative consumption is that of redistribution markets.The Collaborative Consumption Website (www.collaborative consumption.com) defines it as "redistributing the goods used or acquired from where they are no longer needed to somewhere or someone who needs them (exchange and second -hand markets)" ".In the portal it is said that "over time, redistributing can become the fifth‘ R ’, along with reducing, reusing, recycling and repairing".