Freelance Writing

Recently I applied for a job as a Freelance Editor for a company in Stockholm. Although I wasn't successful, part of the application was that I write up and submit a news article, which was enjoyable.

So here it is.............

A Very Big Small Market

Hidden amongst all the tales of the credit crisis is a small success story that has gone relatively unnoticed, namely the boom in the second hand clothes market.
Prior to 2007 thrifty shoppers went into such stores out of curiosity or the hope of finding a designer label left in during happier times, back when we could buy what wanted and when we wanted it.

Yet even back in the pre-credit crunch days many of us were already shopping in the world’s largest second hand store that is EBAY. This global player may belong to the twenty-first century, but many of the products on its virtual shelves belong to yesteryear.
Ironically while this American giant has seen its own net profit for the final quarter of 2008 fall to $367m (£264m) from $532m for the same quarter the previous year, its much smaller competitors are experiencing happier times.

In the Baltic country of Estonia shoppers are saving their cents while also easing pressure on the environment by purchasing items in the local second hand and charity shops.
A spokesman for the country’s National Statistics Office said “that in January 2008 to 2009, sales in household goods fell by one third, but during the same period there was nearly a 40% increase in the sale of second hand items”
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Although there has been a steady increase in business from this sector since 2004, it was after 2007 that this increase became so dramatic.
However, the Statistical Office offered a word of caution, stating that although the increased turnover was remarkable in its own sector, it was still a small percentage in the overall economy and will have little impact upon it.

Meanwhile in England two hundred million tonnes of stock are disposed of every year, with only 16% being left over for recycling. In an interview with the B.B.C. Beverly McDermott from the Saint Bernardo’s charity stated that “in the economic downturn more and more people are visiting their stores, but at the same time donations are falling, leaving more and more shelves empty”.