This ‘re-use, reduce, recycle’ generation of mindful shoppers is becoming more cost savvy and environmentally conscious, with almost a third (31%) choosing to shop pre-loved every single week.
The charity retailer, which has 680 shops across the UK, found more than two fifths of thrifty shoppers in the area (43%) now look to see if they can buy something second hand before buying it new, with one in three preferring to wait for a second hand deal rather than buy it new right away.
The cost of living and sustainability remain the primary reason for most people shopping second hand, but the hunt for dupes of more expensive high street brands is now driving 19 per cent of people surveyed to seek out pre-loved.
Furniture is top of the second-hand shopping list in Manchester (36%), closely followed by clothes (33%), with 23 per cent most likely to be looking for pre-loved toys.
Of the 4,504 people surveyed by Censuswide across the UK, respondents from Manchester estimate they have at least five pieces of second-hand furniture in their house, with almost two fifths (38%) planning to buy pre-loved furniture this year.
Further findings show that more than four in 10 (43%) shoppers surveyed in Manchester have had to delay buying furniture they need as they could not afford it.
The announcement kicks off the month of Reuse Revolution - a British Heart Foundation campaign raising awareness of the benefits of shopping and donating – preventing good quality items from ending up in landfill, saving consumers money and helping to fund lifesaving research.
Allison Swaine-Hughes, Retail Director at the British Heart Foundation, said: “We love that people in Manchester and across the UK are becoming more pre-loved savvy, and we’re not surprised! We know our customers love shopping in our stores, and online, and no matter what your shopping habit - whether you’re buying books in Birmingham, clothes in Cardiff or doing a whole home makeover in Manchester, you can visit your local British Heart Foundation shop, or browse our online stores, to pick-up some unique bargains.
This month we are asking the public to join the Reuse Revolution and shop, upcycle or donate second hand furniture, homeware, clothes and toys while helping to raise funds for life saving heart research.”
In a year, the BHF saves over 54,000 tonnes of goods from going to waste, including 186,000 sofas and armchairs.