With the end of the holiday shopping season, some residents of the Maritimes find that this is the best time to look for deals at thrift stores.

“Cherry Laxton,” the operations manager at the “Soles Harbour Rescue Mission,” said that donations to thrift stores start to increase even before the end of the year, as people begin to clear out their homes in preparation for the new things they expect to receive.

Laxton noted that the “Mission Mart” store in Halifax saw a significant increase in donations with the start of the new year, explaining that shopping at thrift stores has become an extremely popular phenomenon.

“Bruce Winder,” a Toronto-based retail analyst, added that this trend is not surprising given the environmental and financial benefits that thrift shopping offers, in addition to its unique character.

“Pam Finch,” a longtime shopper in Halifax, stated that she almost buys everything she needs from thrift stores, adding: “When I go to buy something new from traditional stores, I’m always shocked by the prices, so I go back to thrift stores.”

Laxton confirmed that the rising cost of living has driven many people to turn to thrift shopping, even those who had not done so previously.