More UAE residents are buying used furniture, here's why

Dubai - All secondhand categories on online platform dubizzle, for example, witnessed an increase in buying and selling activity.

Whoever says you cannot do a fabulous home makeover with a very tight budget has never seen the UAE’s secondhand furniture market.

With a focus on saving money amid the pandemic — and going green — more residents across the country have been rummaging through online stores for preloved items for their homes.

All secondhand categories on online platform dubizzle, for example, witnessed an increase in buying and selling activity. As more and more people are working remotely and spending more time at home, certain categories are showing a particularly strong boost of activity.

These include sports equipment, gaming, computers, furniture, and mobile phones, said Dobromir Radichkov, chief data officer of Bayut and dubizzle.

Radichkov noted that, similar to most industries across the country, the Covid-19 pandemic impacted the secondhand sales market, particularly in April when the disinfection campaign was in full force. “However, since mobility restrictions were lifted towards the end of April, we have seen a swift and promising recovery, backed with a strong surge in demand for used goods,” he said.

“During the past few months, we have noticed that consumers have become more price-sensitive and are increasingly looking for good deals on secondhand items which has in part contributed to used goods transacting at a higher volume in a shorter period of time. Interested buyers are looking for more reasonably priced alternatives in the preloved market.”

Meena Ashfaq, a Dubai resident, said she was in the process of looking for several new items for her home.

“I want to get another study table for my son so that he can comfortably work on his laptop when he has online classes.

“Right now, he is sharing my husband’s computer table with his brother. I will also get better chairs for both of them so that they are relaxed when doing their classes. I am looking online for used items that are in good condition.”

Residents less likely to buy new stuff

Zaid Mohsin Kidwai, co-founder and CEO of BorrowBlob, agreed that there has been a gradual increase in shoppers willing to purchase secondhand items, and that the pandemic has simply accelerated this shift.

“There has been an overall reduction globally in purchasing new stuff. Concerns about consumerism and getting a bigger bang for the buck are two major reasons.”

“The population has become very transient, and keeps moving around, hence there is less inclination to invest in new stuff rather than buy or renting — specially furniture items among other things,” he added.

Growing environmental concerns have also seen consumers shift renting things rather than owning them, Kidwai said. “BorrowBlob is one such platform that provides consumers with the option to rent items rather than buying, especially if they require things for a short period, want to just try stuff before buying, or are unsure and don’t want to commit to a purchase.”

Darius Jacobs, a Sharjah resident who recently shifted to a new apartment, said he and a friend visited several second-hand furniture showrooms and browsed several groups online for preloved items.