THE EFFECTS of the credit crunch could prove to be a boon for second-hand shops, with
consumers in Paphos already looking for alternative shopping options.
Revival Fashion Agency and Marilyn’s Book Swap, both in Paphos, are ‘recycling’ already used products. Revival was set up in Kato Paphos by proprietor Judith Evans, a couple of years ago, and buys and sells nearly new clothes, shoes and accessories.
Evans told the Cyprus Mail: “We’re generally quieter than last year, and the crisis is affecting our customers, but we are beginning to pick up.” Revival sells quality items, which must be in good condition, and Evans says bargains are on offer on a daily basis.
“Clothes and accessories are a luxury, and when people are tightening their belts these are the first things to go. I decided to set up the shop because there was a gaping hole in the market. Designer labels are very expensive and fashion changes with the season,” she said.
Evans said the winter period was always difficult for the shop, as this season in Cyprus is short.
“People don’t really want to spend a lot on a winter wardrobe because we all know we will be wearing flip-flops in a few weeks,” she said.
In addition Evans said most of her clientele are British ex pats, many of who return to the UK for three months in winter.
However she said a lot of her customers were selling their properties on the island and returning to the UK for good.
“The people who are reliant on sterling as an income, either from a pension or other means, are being badly affected. They can’t afford to live here. These people are bringing in their clothes to sell, and not replacing them by buying anything new.”
Evans set up the shop because of her love of clothes and fashion and describes her job as ‘exciting.’
“New things come in all the time and I would encourage people to go through their wardrobes and sort out what they’re not wearing. We give 40 per cent of the sale price to the customer, and it’s a chance to make some pocket money,” she said.
Evans confirmed that a lot of people spend their earnings from selling their clothes on items in the shop.
“It gives you a lift to purchase something new. It’s good to treat yourself, even in a crisis, and you don’t feel guilty when you know you’ve got a bargain,” she said.
Evans believes trade will get better.
“It’s began to pick up already,” she said. “And new customers will replace the old ones. New summer stock is coming in now, which I always find bright and uplifting. “
Marilyn Tapaccos has two second- hand ’bookswaps’ in Cyprus, one in Limassol and one in Paphos. “I would say that the shop in Paphos has got busier recently, but customers are spending less,” she said.
The bookswap gives the customer a 40 per cent credit on the shops sale price of the book, to use against purchases of other books from the outlet.
According to Tapaccos, people are buying fewer books and complaining about the exchange rate of sterling to the euro.
“I do feel sorry for them, but it’s out of my hands,” she said.
Tapaccos has also been made aware of the ever-growing numbers of repatriating ex pats.
“I would say a large number of early retirees who came out to Cyprus for the good life, are packing up and returning to the UK, now they don’t have any money in their pockets.”
Tapaccos believes people are clearing out possessions to make money.
” We have a lot of them coming in with books,” she said.”I think everyone has gone into a panic. I’m worried as well, but I do think the situation will ease out later on this year.”
She concluded, “I hope that we will be able to weather the storm. Reading isn’t a luxury if you’re a reader. I couldn’t live without a book.”
