Today's Edition
BATOOL GHAITH (ABU DHABI)
Second-hand shopping is becoming more popular among Abu Dhabi residents, and it is not only about saving money.
Business owners and shoppers told Aletihad that growing environmental awareness, changing social attitudes and the influence of social media are driving demand for second-hand goods, while community-led initiatives such as clothing swaps and pre-loved markets are helping make circular shopping part of everyday life around Abu Dhabi.
Nadia Al Shimmari, sustainability expert and Founder and CEO of Hello&GoodBuy, which is a second-hand clothing boutique in Abu Dhabi, said that the idea of the boutique came from the lack of second-hand options in the Emirate.
"I wanted to create an alternative to the 'always having to spend on new' approach, and focus on a circular economy, by keeping the clothes in circulation," Al Shimmari told Aletihad.
She emphasised the environmental damage of the fashion industry, noting that people are unaware of the magnitude of the impact, and that extending the lifespan of one garment by just nine months reduces its carbon, water and waste footprint by 20-30%.
According to Fashion Industry Environmental Impact Statistics by Worldmetrics, the fashion industry uses 93 billion cubic metres of water annually, which is equivalent to the annual water usage of 40 million people.
"We have definitely witnessed an increase in demand for pre-loved fashion in the Emirate and it is amazing. Having been around for more than four years now, we see new customers all the time, so there is always momentum," she added.
She said that shoppers generally fall into three groups: those motivated by sustainability, others looking for unique pieces unavailable in traditional stores, and those seeking better value for money.
In May, she said that the boutique launched a pre-loved market initiative, where residents can book stalls to sell their items.
Community initiatives in Abu Dhabi continue to normalise the concept of second-hand shopping. In 2024, Maya Motlikl, who resides in Abu Dhabi, organised a clothing swap event at home.
She said that participants brought garments they no longer wore, received credits for accepted items and exchanged them without paying any money.
"I contributed 13 items, and I ended up bringing home 10 items for me and my mother which we still wear to this day," Motlik added.
Following the success of the first event, the group has now organised three clothing swaps and is planning another after the summer holidays, Motlik said.
Stigma Around Pre-owned Items Fading
For shopper Rouzan Badwan, second-hand shopping offers much more than financial savings. While affordability matters, she said finding unique items is what keeps drawing her back.
"I have a very specific aesthetic, and you simply cannot buy that in regular stores. I especially love thrifting for vintage high-end clothes, jewellery and bags, pieces with real craftsmanship and history that one would never find on a current rack," she told Aletihad.
Badwan said she shops for second-hand furniture, books and home décor that can be repurposed. She also noted that attitudes towards second-hand shopping have shifted considerably.
"There used to be a bit of a stigma around pre-owned items, where buying new signalled status, but that is fading with younger generations, who increasingly see resale as smart and even stylish," she said.
She also credits social media with accelerating that change, as Instagram thrifting accounts, resale pages, Marketplace features and styling content have made second-hand shopping aspirational rather than embarrassing. "People now proudly show off their finds instead of hiding them," Badwan added.
For Payal K Kharva, a small business owner, Abu Dhabi's large expatriate population makes buying second-hand particularly attractive.
"Since expats are constantly moving in and out of the country, you can get very good items at reasonable rates. It is a bargain, and you can also find unique things," Kharva told Aletihad.
Cira Mathis, a US national residing in Abu Dhabi for the past five years, has made buying second-hand furniture a passion rather than simply a way to save money. "Furnishing with second-hand furniture is my love language," she told Aletihad.
While cost-effectiveness is one advantage, Mathis said the biggest attraction is finding distinctive, high-quality pieces that help create a home with character rather than buying matching furniture from large retailers.
"There are a lot of reasons to buy second-hand, it certainly is cost-effective and contributes to a circular economy, but my primary driver is the joy of the hunt for unique items and the ability to piece together high-quality items for a bespoke vision rather than buying a pre-set design line from a large store," she explained.
She also noted that Abu Dhabi's transient population means many second-hand items are barely used.
"Many pre-owned items are practically new, even when they have changed hands two or three times. Personally, I love telling people my furniture is second-hand because I'm proud of the hunt for the items I brought together to make my home unique," Mathis added.
