Kenya’s second-hand clothing trade, mitumba, which means ‘bundles’, has been the heartbeat of affordable fashion. From Gikomba to Muthurwa, thrifting was all about digging through piles of clothes and walking away with a find you are satisfied with.

However, a new wave of organized thrift stores has been on the rise, the likes of ‘Think Twice’ and ‘Budget Wear’. The most significant change is the pricing.

At local mitumba markets, the cost of an item largely depends on your bargaining skills. Thrift stores, however, have a fixed price and predictable markdowns.

Shoppers know that if they wait a few days, the prices on clothing items will drop significantly, sometimes from Kshs 400 to Kshs 50. This ‘calendar’ creates a sort of anticipation towards shopping at the stores.

Beyond prices, thrift chains are winning with convenience. Clothes are arranged by type and displayed neatly. For shoppers pressed for time, this arrangement allows them to browse through more options.

The rise of organized thrift stores raises questions about the future of Kenya’s traditional mitumba economy. Will open-air markets adapt to the changes that thrift stores bring?

One thing is clear: affordability remains king in Kenya’s fashion market. And for now, thrift stores like Think Twice and Budget Wear have found the formula when it comes to the average customer experience.