The Journey Before the Store.

 

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The Journey Before the Store.

 

Let me take you on a journey, behind the scenes of what truly happens to garments before they get to the stores. When people shop in secondhand stores, it often feels like everything donated simply ends up on the shop floor. From my experience working at Erikshjälpen so far, I have realized that this not the case. There is a detailed and structured process that determines what is sold, what is repaired, what is sent to other countries and what is removed completely.

 

The sorting process begins with what is known as light sorting. At this stage, clothes are quickly assessed and separated into different categories. For example, clothes from the brand “157” are placed in a box labelled for Estonia and are sent there. Items that are still good but need some form of repair, washing, or treatment are placed in what is called the Human Bridge box. These items are later picked up, processed, and eventually returned for sale if they meet the required standard.

 

Other garments that are clean, meet quality standards and need no mending will be placed in a large wooden box for further sorting. Accessories such as caps, scarves, ties, and gloves are sorted separately into their own category. There are also special sorting boxes for seasonal items like Christmas clothing, as well as for well-known sports brands such as Addidas and Nike.

 

After the light sorting stage, the process moves into heavy sorting. This is where the large wooden box from light sorting is further divided into more specific categories. Clothing is sorted into different groups such as men’s trousers, women’s trousers, women’s tops, men’s tops, women’s jackets and raincoats, button-down jackets, dresses and skirts, and children’s clothing from ages 0 to youth.

 

In addition to these categories, there are also specific containers for items that cannot be sold. Torn or damaged clothes are separated, and gym wear is also placed in its own category. Interestingly, I observed that items from certain fast fashion brands, particularly Shein, are often discarded and do not proceed further in the system. Personal items such as underwear, socks, bras, and swimwear are also removed and never make it to the shop floor.

 

Once the sorting is completed, the remaining items are prepared for pricing. What stood out to me is that pricing is not based on how new or visually appealing an item looks, but rather on an existing price list determined by brand of clothes. This shows how structured and standardized the system is, rather than subjective.

 

Overall, this experience has given me a deeper understanding of how much work happens behind the scenes in secondhand retail. It is not simply about reselling donated clothes, but about making careful decisions at every stage. The process ensures quality, consistency, and efficiency, while also highlighting that not everything donated is suitable for reuse.

I have also learned that it is better to invest in quality clothes from good brands, as they are more likely to retain secondhand value. Additionally, I have come to understand that buying secondhand clothes does not make you inferior rather, it means you are part of a larger cycle of sustainability and reuse.

Suror