Thrifting - the activity of looking for or buying goods from thrift stores - has increasingly emerged as a popular pastime among consumers. The resurgence of thrifting is primarily led by Gen Z young adults who are choosing to shop for “gently used” clothing in thrift stores, in addition to purchasing new items at in-person stores and from online websites.. The growth of the thrifting industry has important economic and social implications while the motivations behind thrifting as a form of consumer behavior have the potential to raise important and interesting ethical questions. This suggests the need to develop a framework for understanding the ethical considerations facing stakeholders in this industry. This paper analyzes the thrifting industry's recent upsurge and suggests such a framework.
