Recognising and identifying the seasons for recycling will help you get the best possible return from your flea sale. We've put together some tips from Kidia's pricing team on what to sell and when to sell it. The time of year has a huge impact on demand and the value of your clothes! In addition, demand is influenced by the school and kindergarten start-up seasons each year.
July-August starts for autumn and basic clothing
In July, the demand for the most summery gear starts to slow down, as the heat gear for the current summer has already been purchased. Short-sleeved shirts and shorts are still selling well, but at slightly lower prices. At the end of the summer, clothing stores already have discounts on thermal clothing and other summer accessories, which inevitably always affects demand in flea markets. The end of summer is therefore no longer the best season to sell large quantities of summer clothes.
From the beginning of August, we start to prepare for the start of the intermediate period and the everyday life of autumn.
Demand in late summer is particularly affected by the start of the school year and day care. At the end of the summer, it seems like there is no end to basic clothing and autumn outdoor wear!
August is the hottest sales time of the year for children's clothes shops, and outlets are usually booked up in record time.
Now there's a demand for long-sleeved shirts and trousers, nice sweatshirts and hoodies, comfortable everyday basics, jeans and everyday dresses.
There's a huge demand for inter-seasonal jackets and trousers, fur garments and waterproof shoes. Don't forget accessories! Pack your flea bag with thin hats and caps, as well as gloves and other accessories for the autumn months.
However, now is not quite the right time to sell the top.
September-October is the start of the winter gearing up - now those outerwear are on sale!
In September, sales of intermediate seasonal equipment are still going on, which may well change abruptly to sales of winter equipment as we move towards the end of autumn. Of course, this is very much influenced by the weather. That first bitter frost in autumn creates an immediate demand spike in the outdoor clothing department, and any decent outerwear will find a new buyer.
In the flea market, the best seasons for seasonal clothing sales are usually about two months before the season starts. So anticipation is the key.
Warm outdoor clothing, winter boots and especially woollen clothing are in high demand during the autumn months. It's also a good time to stock up on warm accessories, from winter hats to top hats and collars. There is also demand for hot bags for prams, pushchairs and troughs.
In addition, during the autumn, there is a huge sale of indoor clothing, as daycare and schools are constantly consuming the contents of wardrobes!
Steady sales from November to January
During the winter season, demand for basic clothing remains steady, and there are also plenty of toys, games and children's books on sale to entertain on dark evenings.
Most families have already made their winter purchases, but new purchases of winter equipment are made to replace broken or acutely short equipment throughout the winter. So it's a good idea to bring your winter gear to the flea market for sale until the turn of January and February.
In winter, there is also a high demand for winter outdoor equipment, such as skates and skis. Sledges and slides also sell out quickly, especially when the first snow arrives.
Towards the end of the winter season, there is a small season for intermediate equipment, as some children have had time to grow out of their autumn equipment. By January, you can already see that parents' thoughts are turning towards spring purchases.
In February-March, we'll be stocking up on outdoor clothes
Spring-winter is often a very busy time for flea markets. Spring wakes people up to sunshine and warmth, and after a long autumn and winter, people often need a whole new stock of clothes for the spring days and the warmth of summer.
In spring, people buy a lot of waterproof outdoor gear, as there is a lot of outdoor activity in spring. In many cases, the gear bought for autumn is often outgrown by the time you move from top-layer clothing to mid-season gear. When the snow melts, you need equipment for loose playthings.
The best selling period for summer clothing is April to June
The late spring and early summer are a steady selling season, with lots of basic clothes for children. The summer clothing sales season starts as soon as the sunny weather starts and people remember again after a long winter what a wonderful time summer is.
The highest sales of summer clothes are in May and early June, before Midsummer. So now is the time to bring all the summery patterns and lovely thermal clothes you can find. For summer, of course, you can buy swimwear and shorts, summer shoes, t-shirts and other summer essentials. Sunglasses and wide-brimmed hats are the biggest hit!
A few thoughts from a flea market professional
Based on my long experience in flea markets, I dare say that every seller should focus the products they sell as closely as possible to their seasons. It's worth remembering the seasons for recycling, as cardigans languish on their shelves in the spring sunshine and swimsuits get lost in each other as summer turns to autumn.
There are many players in the children's clothing market and sales also affect the demand in flea markets. When products are on sale in shops selling new children's clothes, they can no longer be sold at the same price in a flea market - in effect, demand stops.
One important point to mention is the demand for toys and games in the run-up to Christmas. And in general. Toys and games and books are always popular, and sandpits and buckets, for example, are a hot item in the summer. However, many people fail to bring these products at all, believing that it's not worth trying to sell them. I say, bring your toys and books to the flea markets and put a good spin on it.
Read more and book a sales service
Read more about the best tips for recycling, for example From the HomeLink article recycling. And take a look Recycling services in Kidia, especially if you have seasonal clothes and equipment lying around in your cupboards. It's worth remembering the recycling seasons to get the best possible return on your sales.