As transport fares rise due to petrol price hikes, some second-hand clothes traders in Dutse, Jigawa, have expressed concern about low patronage amid soaring prices.

Thrift clothes (also called Okrika) are pre-owned or second-hand garments imported into Nigeria from Europe, America, and Asia.

They remain popular for their durability, affordability, and unique styles, which are mainly found in markets, roadside outlets, boutiques, and online platforms.

“The trade is becoming less attractive,” the traders said in separate interviews on Thursday in Dutse.

The trade provides a livelihood for many Nigerians due to its lucrative nature.

However, high transport costs driven by fuel price hikes are forcing wholesalers and retailers to pass these overhead expenses on to end users to maintain their profit margins.

Danladi Musa, a retailer, said that he now spends a lot on sourcing secondhand clothes due to rising transport costs.

He said the trend had forced them to raise prices, explaining that fairly used children’s clothes sold for between N1,000 and N1,500 per piece, compared with N500 and N800, depending on their quality.

Adult shirts and trousers, he said, sold for N3,500 and N6,000, up from N1,500 and N3,000, respectively.

“The rise in transport fare and the high prices charged by suppliers have affected our business and ultimately the prices paid by customers,” he said.

Another trader, Sani Balarabe, said most of the clothes were sourced from Kano, adding that the high cost of transportation contributed significantly to the surge in prices.

“We either buy the clothes directly from Kano or from traders who sourced them from there. Considering the current transport costs, a price increase is inevitable.

“For instance, a fairly used jean that sold for N2,500 some years ago now sells for between N4,500 and N7,000, while quality jackets now sell for between N5,000 and N10,000, depending on their grades,” he said.

Mr Balarabe lamented the declining patronage, noting that business was usually better during the cold season.

“Sales are currently low. Sometimes, one spends the whole day at the market and returns home with little or no sales. At times, the day’s sales are barely enough to cater for basic household needs,” he said.

Also, Asma’u Abdulkadir, a customer, said she has a strong preference for secondhand clothes despite the exorbitant prices.

“I still buy these clothes in spite of  the high prices because I have young children; they easily wear out or damage their clothes. So, I combine secondhand and new clothes to reduce expenses,” she said.

On his part, Mohammed Auwal said many people now prioritise food and other essential needs over clothing purchases due to the economic crunch.

He, however, said that many low-income families still relied on secondhand clothing because brand-new clothes were beyond their reach.

(NAN)