TOKYO - When Japan announced a state of emergency due to the coronavirus pandemic this year, people were urged to declutter their homes to pass the time, with Tokyo’s governor even roping in household-organising celebrity Marie Kondo in promotional videos.Many have taken that message to heart and the market for second-hand luxury goods is booming as a result.
“I thought it was a waste to leave the kimonos just hanging up, and if someone from a younger generation would wear them, that would make me happy,” said Iwama, who sold 22 kimonos for 4,000 yen . Visits to people’s homes surged 31% to 20,990 in October from a year ago, the company said, adding that three quarters of its customers are in their 50s or older, selling kimonos, luxury handbags and jewellery.
Has anyone else wondered, while shopping on eBay lately, if people are selling off the possessions of the recent victims of the pandemic?