The sale of bales becomes strength before the crisis imposed by the COVID-19

SANTO DOMINGO.-With the Covid -19 pandemic, the second -hand clothing market has gained strength with the fall in the income of various families, who have seen in Las Pacas a cheaper alternative to buy or negotiate.

In those centers there is an offer everywhere, crowds that break the physical distancing while searching between tables, hangers and even on the ground.Simultaneously young vociferan forced "at 20 to 15 pesos, here finds what you are looking for and a little more, clothes for lady, gentlemen and children".

As if he did not listen to the bustle, Elizabeth Mota, calm between taking pieces by looking up from top to bottom, looking for damages in a hill of clothes lying on the tables with a sign from all to 50 pesos.

"I am looking for Sweater to work, and I also found clothes to clean at home, and the children," explains the lady, who moved from Villa Mella to the Duarte flea market.

Explain that even if you want to buy a new sweater the money you earn as part of the domestic service of a company does not reach it.

Likewise, Luis Núñez says that most of his “outfit” gets them searching in bales where he has found brands such as;Dior, Inditex, Gucci, Adida and others that in good condition."To meet these types of pieces, you have to come with time, dedication and know the quality," Nuñez details, while observing on a web page the pieces you are looking for.

However, Núñez points out that when those pieces are identified by the owners of the bales are high price and that is when it is better to buy it new.

This is confirmed by Javier Alcántara seller of Pacas in La Duarte with February 27, who explains that prior to opening a top quality batch, business owners allocate a staff to select and put on pecks the brand and better quality pieces, while whilethat the second hand goes to the offers tables.

Details the investment in this type of clothes range 170 and 260 thousand pesos per month."In this business you never lose, even when you apply sales and offers," he said.

Virtual Pacascon Alcántara agreed Kirson Regalado, owner of a clothing store used with independent premises and virtual store, who says that business leaves no losses and more now with the increase of customers after the pandemic.

On his side, José Manuel Caro, president of the Association of Merchants of the Fleas Market, said that in recent months used clothing sales have increased between 25 and 30 % both in first and second quality baccases.

"That has caused us to increase the investment that before between 13 and 15 thousand pesos and now exceeds 25 thousand pesos and the investment is rapid," said Caro by pointing out that this happens despite the fact that the competition increased, since with themassive cancellations that were given last year, hundreds of Dominicans entered that market hybrid, both virtual and face -to -face.

In the case of virtual stores they are throughout the country and sell even abroad on some occasions.

He explained that only in the Association of Flea Sellers there are more than 3,000 employees and 30 owners and importers.

External purchase

- Import the importation of made textile items;games;would turn on and rags increase in 2.18 million dollars from May 2017 to May of this year, indicates the import report of the General Directorate of Customs.