AMID the weather bureau’s prediction that warm weather will last until February in the city, jackets and other cold-weather clothes are still being sought after in “ukay-ukay” stores around the city.
"The sales are high depending on the arrival of new stock," said Che Lopez, ukay-ukay vendor in East Park at Harrison Road. People are starting to buy jackets for the expected cold weather in February, added Lopez.
Jackets costs P280 or more depending on its thickness while scarves and bonnets range from P50 to P150. These dry goods are second hand or slightly used from America or Canada, said Lopez.
But not all ukay-ukay stalls are as lucky this January. Joann, an ukay-ukay vendor in Skyworld along Session Road said profit is low due to the warm weather.
But both Lopez and Joann predict an increase in sales by February - usually the coldest month of the year.
Ditta Mae Sienna, a University of the Philippines Baguio student experienced having rashes every time she wears her turtleneck shirt that she bought from an ukay store. Because of this, she only buys bags or shoes in the ukay and cleans the merchandise before using it.
Still, Lopez takes pride with their merchandize. "It's the buyer's decision if they prefer to buy ukay clothes or not. We sell the cheapest kinds of clothes and where can one find a P35 Levis shirt? It's only here in the ukay," said Lopez in the vernacular.