Russians have rushed to buy clothes from thrift stores due to financial difficulties
Demand for secondhand clothing is growing in Russia amid a deteriorating economic situation and consumers shifting to a frugal lifestyle. In the first half of 2026, the number of purchases at secondhand clothing stores rose by 9% year-over-year, according to data from the Check Index analytical center.
The average receipt at secondhand stores was 1,245 rubles, which is 10% more than a year earlier. At the same time, the number of purchases of new clothing fell by 10%, although the average amount spent rose by 9%—to 3,129 rubles, according to Forbes.
Tatyana Belkevich, president of the Russian Association of Fashion Industry Participants, noted that for a significant portion of consumers, new clothing has become less affordable, while secondhand clothing appeals due to its combination of lower prices, quality, and the opportunity to find unique items.
According to Mikhail Burmistrov, CEO of the INFOLine agency, the Russian secondhand market reached 950 billion to 1 trillion rubles by the end of 2025. In 2026, it could grow by another 12–15%.
Experts attribute this trend to a decline in the population’s purchasing power and Russians’ desire to cut back on spending on non-essential goods.
As a reminder, intelligence sources have reported a loss of confidence among oligarchs in the Russian economy.
Russia is seeing a trend toward staff reductions across various sectors, including IT, healthcare, logistics, manufacturing, retail, consulting, and other business services.
The Russian Ministry of Finance forecasts a sharp increase in regional budget deficits to $21 billion.
