If you’ve ever thought about starting a thrift business in Zambia — selling pre-loved clothes, shoes, jewelry, and accessories for profit — you probably have a lot of questions:
Where do I buy good stock?
What should I sell?
How do I price my items to make a profit?
How can I grow a loyal customer base?
These are the same questions I had when I started my own online thrift and accessory store in early 2023. After months of trial and error, I turned those experiences into a step-by-step guide — Thrifting Flipping Zambia — a practical four-lesson course designed to help you start, grow, and sustain your own thrift business.
Whether you’re a student looking for extra income, a young entrepreneur, or someone who just loves fashion, this course will give you the tools you need to succeed.
Every successful thrift business starts with smart buying decisions.
Where to Buy in Zambia
If you’re in Lusaka, markets like Chilenje, Kamwala, City Market, and even the streets of town are goldmines for stock. In other towns, local markets and second-hand hubs are the best places to start.
What to Buy (Based on Your Budget)
Low-range capital: Shirts, caps, socks, shorts, low-cost jewelry
Mid-range capital: Trousers, classic football jerseys, denim shorts, sweatpants, mid-cost jewelry
High-range capital: Hoodies, cargo pants, carpenter pants, premium jewelry like chains and necklaces
Always consider size, color, quality, and price before buying. And most importantly — stick to your budget! Overbuying high-cost pieces can shrink your profit potential.
Growing Your Market
Building a customer base takes time. Post consistently on social media, share your restock updates, and encourage customer reviews. Recommendations from happy buyers are your best marketing tool.
In thrift flipping, quality is king.
Poor quality = cheaper prices, unsatisfied customers
Good quality = higher prices, happy customers
Make your products more appealing by washing, ironing, and neatly presenting them. When posting online, focus on:
Good lighting and clean backgrounds
Multiple angles of each product
High-resolution uploads (use HD settings on WhatsApp and Instagram)
Your packaging also tells customers how professional you are. Branded or neat packaging makes your business stand out.
Pricing isn’t just about making profit — it’s about knowing your market.
Before setting prices, calculate:
Total cost of goods
Transport costs to and from suppliers
Packaging costs
Advertising/data expenses
Then, set a reasonable profit margin. Avoid overpricing, as it can push away potential customers. Consistency is key — don’t change prices based on your mood or how much you want to make in a single day.
The final lesson — and arguably the most important — is customer service.
To keep customers coming back, you need:
Updated catalogues on WhatsApp, Facebook, and Instagram
Clear contact information
Automatic and saved replies when you’re offline
Fast responses to inquiries
Also, be transparent about delivery times, refund policies, and trust-building practices. Great customer service doesn’t just win repeat buyers — it earns you free marketing through recommendations.
While there are plenty of business tips online, Thrifting Flipping Zambia is tailored to the Zambian market. You’ll learn:
Where to source stock locally
How to manage on any budget
How to use social media effectively for sales
The exact methods I used to grow my thrift business from scratch
By the end of the course, you won’t just know how to sell thrift — you’ll have a system you can use for long-term success.
📌 Start learning now: Click here to take the course
Published on: Aug. 12, 2025, 2:46 p.m.