Innovation

Located at the heart of Antipolo City lies a hidden gem that not only revives fashion from the past and but also champions sustainability and positive social impact. Real Thrift & Co. is a thrift store that sells secondhand and vintage clothing curated by its dedicated owners, Bobby Arce and Alfred Oafallas, for a purpose. Their passion for the environment and community empowerment have transformed this store into a beacon of conscious consumerism.

At the core of Real Thrift & Co. lies its unwavering dedication to sustainability. Fast fashion has a detrimental impact on the environment, leading to excessive waste, pollution, and exploitation of resources. However, this thrift store takes a stand against this harmful industry by promoting the concept of conscious consumerism. By reusing and recycling pre-loved clothing, the store reduces the demand for new clothing production, thus lessening its ecological footprint.

Real Thrift & Co. is more than just a thrift store; it represents a conscious movement towards a more sustainable approach to fashion. Its curated selection of second-hand and vintage garments encourages customers to embrace timeless styles while reducing their environmental impact. Furthermore, its commitment to community empowerment showcases how businesses can be a force for good, transforming how people perceive and engage with fashion and inspiring a greater sense of responsibility towards the planet and its inhabitants.

"Handcrafted and reworking bags, pants, or clothing is something that we've learned throughout our experience in this industry. In terms of sustainability, you give a second chance to the clothing instead of throwing it away or leaving in the closet to rot. It's kinda 'recycling' the clothing as you would say."
- Alfred Oafallas (co-owner of Real Thrift & Co.)

Thrifted clothing for sale.

Inspiration

Bobby Arce and Alfred Oafallas founded Real Thrift & Co. in June 2022 during the COVID-19 pandemic. Their love for fashion and dedication to environmental responsibility inspired them to create a business that could make a difference. They envisioned a place where customers could access high-quality, pre-loved garments while contributing to a more sustainable future. Their mission was clear: promote mindful shopping, reduce textile waste, and support sustainable fashion practices. They operate on Facebook, Instagram, and Shopee, with a physical store in Antipolo City.

Real Thrift & Co. is a testament to how passion, purpose, and dedication can transform a business into a powerful catalyst for change. Bobby Arce and Alfred Oafallas' love for fashion and the environment converged to create a store that champions sustainability. By curating a thoughtful selection of second-hand and vintage garments and operating with a clear mission, they have brought new life to old clothing and inspired their customers to be more conscious consumers, contributing to a more sustainable and compassionate future.

"We got into thrift because of our love for fashion streetwear, basically clothing... Plus, we were planning to start our own business and had to start somewhere we are passionate about."

- Bobby Arce (owner of Real Thrift & Co.)

Overall impact

In the short term, the innovation has increased customer engagement, foot traffic, and sales due to the store's unique and sustainable offerings. The community has become more aware of Real Thrift & Co, resulting in a positive shift in consumer behavior toward second-hand shopping.

Over the long term, Real Thrift & Co.'s impact on the environment and society is expected to compound. The store contributes to developing a more environmentally conscious and socially responsible society by consistently promoting sustainable fashion practices and empowering the community. Its contribution to a cultural shift can reduce textile waste, decrease reliance on fast fashion, and increase support for ethical and sustainable fashion brands.

In the long run, by promoting thrifting over fast fashion, the store steers consumers indirectly to support sustainable practices in the fashion industry. Thrifting also raises awareness about consumerism, waste management, and sustainable living, educating the public about their environmental impact.

Additionally, the store can be part of a transition to a more sustainable economy, which can influence policies and practices in the fashion industry and other sectors, encouraging them to adopt more sustainable and eco-friendly approaches.

"Upcycling in my own words is where you give a second life to used clothing or garments."

- Bobby Arce (owner of Real Thrift & Co.)

Business benefit

Impact on the Business:

Real Thrift & Co. has experienced several business benefits as a result of its innovative approach to handpicking and curating second-hand and vintage garments carefully:

Niche Market Appeal: Since the year it has operated, Real Thrift & Co. has attracted a niche market of eco-conscious consumers who value unique, one-of-a-kind pieces by focusing on sustainable fashion and vintage clothing. This niche appeal sets the store apart from mainstream fashion retailers and allows it to target a specific audience with strong purchasing power.

Customer Loyalty and Advocacy: The store's emphasis on quality, curation, and customer experience has increased customer loyalty. Satisfied customers are more likely to return for repeat purchases and recommend the store to friends and family, contributing to positive word-of-mouth marketing.

Increased Foot Traffic: As awareness of sustainable fashion grows, more consumers seek alternatives to fast fashion. Real Thrift & Co. has become a destination for those looking for unique, eco-friendly clothing options, resulting in increased foot traffic to the store.

Higher Perceived Value: Real Thrift & Co.'s handpicked and curated collection allows the store to offer high-quality, stylish garments at competitive prices. Customers perceive these pre-loved items as valuable, leading to better profit margins and increased sales.

Cost Savings: Curating second-hand and vintage garments reduces inventory costs for the store compared to traditional retail stores that rely on manufacturing new products. This enables Real Thrift & Co. to offer competitive prices while maintaining profitability.

Sustainable Growth: The store's focus on sustainability aligns with the growing consumer demand for environmentally responsible products. Real Thrift & Co. is positioned for long-term growth and success as sustainable fashion gains momentum.

Overall, Real Thrift & Co.'s business benefits from its innovative approach lie in its ability to attract a loyal customer base, differentiate itself in the market, and align with the growing demand for sustainable fashion. Through its unique offerings and commitment to positive change, the store not only succeeds in the business realm and leaves a lasting impact on society and the environment.

Moreover, the store's focus on quality and style has resulted in a higher perceived value of the products, allowing Real Thrift & Co. to price its garments accordingly. As a result, the business has experienced healthier profit margins, benefiting the owners and the workers they commission.

"[Thrift] is a trend nowadays, especially with the target market of thrift wear where people would want something out of the ordinary."

- Bobby Arce (owner of Real Thrift & Co.)

Social and environmental benefit

Impact on Society:

Real Thrift & Co. has positively impacted society by promoting sustainable fashion practices and fostering a culture of conscious consumerism. Encouraging customers to choose second-hand and vintage garments reduces the demand for fast fashion and reduces textile waste and carbon emissions.

Real Thrift & Co. makes various items more financially accessible to consumers with lower income thresholds by providing quality products at significantly reduced prices, making necessities way more available to the public. Real Thrift & Co. offers more affordable options while encouraging consumers to develop their style and be creative with their purchases. They have contributed to a growing movement towards more sustainable fashion choices in the community.

Impact on the Environment:

The innovation of handpicking and curating second-hand and vintage garments helps reduce the fashion industry's environmental impact. By giving pre-loved clothing a new lease on life, Real Thrift & Co. diverts textiles from landfills, thereby reducing waste. This process also lowers the demand for new clothing production, reducing the consumption of water, energy, and raw materials associated with manufacturing new garments.

Real Thrift & Co. contributes to the reduced demand for new products by offering second-hand items. This, in turn, helps alleviate the environmental impact directly linked to manufacturing, including production waste like energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.

Such businesses also encourage a system of reuse and repurposing, which extends the life of various items, minimizing waste and steering the fashion industry into a more circular economy path instead of the usual "buy then dispose" path. The store's emphasis on slow fashion and durable clothing promotes investing in high-quality, long-lasting pieces, thus discouraging the disposable culture prevalent in fast fashion.

"Thrift is sustainability in my own opinion... Basically, our model is that we sell used clothing based on their condition and current market value."

- Bobby Arce (owner of Real Thrift & Co.)

Interviews

Alfred Oafallas, Co-Owner

Bobby Arce, Owner