Episode 16: Culture Has A Price Tag - New Vs. Used
What does buying new or used really say about us?
In this episode, Hostion and Andrea explore the cultural meaning behind consumer choices, moving far beyond price tags and shopping carts. Drawing from lived experience, academic research, and cross-cultural dialogue, they examine how individualistic cultures prioritize self-expression while collectivist cultures emphasize social acceptance and status.
The conversation moves fluidly between thrift stores, luxury handbags, environmental consciousness, and generational shifts. From hand-me-downs and marketplace finds to the symbolism of brand names and “saving face,” this episode reveals how buying decisions often reflect identity, class, and belonging rather than simple preference.
A thoughtful, curious episode for anyone interested in culture, sustainability, global perspectives, and the stories behind everyday choices
Episode Sources
Culture and the Consumer - Journal of Retailing
Exploring Chinese Consumer’s Attitude Toward Second-Hand Consumption, Shame or Not? - Uppsala University
How Culture Influences How You Buy - Geis College of Business
Worn Worldwide: How Global Cultures are Shifting Towards Second-Hand Fashion - Medium Magazine
The Rise of Second-Hand Luxury Consumption in China - Hub of China
Hard luxury thrifting is gaining ground in China. Will it last? - Vogue Magazine
A Guide to vintage in Japan: Harajuku, Koenji, Osaka - Permanent Style
Four killer Japanese synthesizers that will explode your ears and melt your mind - Grappee Japan
Cross-cultural perspectives on consumer purchasing behaviour in the secondhand apparel market: A comparative study of the USA, China and Bangladesh - Washington State University
Quiz Sources
Number of used merchandise stores in Canada as of June 2022, by region - Statista
Canadians Embrace Pre-Owned Shopping as Mainstream Trend - Retail Insider