Introduction
The “Ukay-Ukay” was derived from the Filipino word which is “halukay”, meaning to dig or to look for something. Some call it “UK” for short. Ukay-Ukay is a store wherein secondhand apparels such as clothes, bags, shoes, and other accessories are being sold at a very cheap and bargained prices. It is used to be available only in physical stores, but because of innovation, there are now variety of ways to sell ukay-ukay. Now, people sell through the use of internet such as online stores and other social media platform. This was made it easy for both the customers, because with just one click, it can be delivered to their preferred address, and the seller, because they do not have to look for a place to build their shop or wait for the customers to arrive.
The first thrift store was built in Nicholson Place, Edinburgh in 1937, the Red Cross opened up its first charity shop at 17 Old Bond Street, London in 1941. It is a charitable organization to raise money. The used goods such as clothing, books, music albums, DVDs, and furniture donated by members of the republic and staffed by volunteers. As the years goes by, it spread to some of the countries and most of them adopt it. According to Abuey, the commercial importation of secondhand items to the Philippines isprobihited since 1966 under the Republic Act No. 4653. It renders a significant part that ukay-ukay business is illegal. It was legalized on 1990s under President Fidel Ramos but it was mostly limited to Baguio City. The early ukay-ukay shops first opened in Baguio and Cebu City until it started to sprout in some areas in the Philippines.
Until now, pre-loved items have been part of the Filipino culture and spread to various part of the Philippines and most of it still circulates in low cost even though new brands and more high quality products imported in our country. It is commonly shipped from different countries across the world. Many entrepreneur choose pre-loved business because they can control their own price based on branded items. Some examples of it are Gucci, Channel, and Louis Vuitton products that were sold for a cheap price compared to the original price.
Nowadays, teenagers often want to be ‘in’ or to belong in the society in terms of trendy clothes, and being a student, it is hard to look for fashionable clothes in affordable price. Since teenagers are the ones who love wearing trendy clothes, they don’t have any budget when it comes to purchasing brand new clothes. And as we all know, Filipinos find it hard to spend too much so they usually find the things they need from stores which offer good quality products but in affordable prices.
Thrift & Style was established in year 2019 and it is owned and managed by Grade 12 ABM students whose ambition is to be entrepreneurs in the field of business in the near future.The business intends to indulge into pre-loved items. It aims to sell pre-loved clothes and other items to customers within the premises of STI and if possible, sell it online. There are lots of competitors in this line of business, as 'ukay-ukay' is one of the most famous clothing stands-a place where you can buy in a cheapest price. But the difference of this Thrift and Style is, it is ready to wear (RTW), it is carefree, there are no stinky smell just like the others and we could guarantee that the fabric are conditioned and well-ironed.
Thrift & Style offers a wide variety of thrift clothes and other items that customers can choose from. It expects to catch the interest of customers with its broad variety of pre-loved items and other items. It also aims to offer its product at an affordable price to meet the demand of students and teachers.
Fashion is always considered as part of our life so Thrift & Style is here to provide the needs of the customers. Most of the “middle-class taste” are attractedwith vintage clothes style and it is usually found in pre-loved shops. “Ukay-ukay” or thrift store is the solution for you to find the clothes that you want. You can simply go to the places where ukay-ukay can be found and you can easily choose whatever style you want. Our product is a huge help to the people who want to go with the usual trend but cannot afford some mid class or high-end clothes to look appealing. And our products have some unique features because of ready-to wear items than others and we are trying to point out that ukay-ukay is also better for it is affordable.
The main objective of this business is to provide an affordable price for the consumers to look presentable, provide a good quality of a fashion style to the people and by this, we will try to become one of the renowned businesses in terms of thrift clothes. It is not about the brand, hence, it is about how you pull-offyour clothes.