Xing TianLooking for an unconventional yet fun way to spend your weekend with friends? Imagine decluttering your wardrobe, earning some pocket money, and having a meaningful experience—all at the same time. That’s exactly what the Luggage Market offers! When I first tried it, I was surprised by how much I enjoyed the experience. At the end of it, my three friends and I made a total profit of S$631! Not only did I manage to sell my old clothes and make some cash, but I also had a great time with my friends.
In this guide, I’ll share everything you need to know about the Luggage Market, from what it is to tips and tricks for making the most of it.
Also read: Singapore Thrift Shopping Guide: 7 Areas to Explore
What is the Luggage Market?
The Luggage Market is essentially a flea market where people sell their pre-loved items straight out of their luggage. Organized by the same people behind Singapore’s Hammock Market, Luggage Market is a more accessible version. The main audience consists of domestic and foreign workers, meaning a wider range of clothing styles and sizes are in demand.
Held every Sunday at Aperia Mall, this flea market sees high foot traffic, increasing the chances of clearing out your wardrobe. If you have piles of clothes you no longer wear, this is the perfect place to give them a new home while making some extra money.
Why it’s more fun with friends
Selling at the luggage market is much more enjoyable when you do it with friends. Chances are, your friends also have old clothes taking up space in their wardrobes. By joining forces, you can:
- Share booth rental costs – Renting a booth in the Luggage Market costs S$69.90. Renting a booth alone can hence be costly, but splitting it among friends makes it much more affordable. The more people you share with, the lower your individual cost!
- Help each other attract customers and manage sales – More hands mean less stress! One person can organize clothes while another talks to potential buyers, ensuring a smooth selling experience. Selling at the Luggage Market is truly an overwhelming experience, trust me when I say that the more friends to help out, the better!
- Keep each other entertained – Selling for hours can get tiring, but with friends around, you’ll always have someone to chat and laugh with, making the time fly by.
How to sign up + tips and tricks
Image credit: The Luggage Market Official Website
Securing a spot at the luggage market can be tricky. My friends and I missed out three times before we finally got a slot! Here’s what you need to do:
- Mark your calendar – Slots for the entire month are released on a specific day of the month, usually at a specific time, so check their website or social media for updates.
- Team up – Get your friends to camp for slots together to increase your chances. The more devices refreshing the page, the better your odds!
- Be prepared – Have your credit card details ready for immediate payment once a slot opens up. Spots can sell out within minutes, so every second counts!
Planning for the Luggage Market
What to bring to sell
Image credit: Nalin Prutimongkol via Canva Pro
Since the luggage market attracts a diverse customer base, a variety of clothing styles will appeal to buyers. Consider bringing:
- Old clothes in good condition – While buyers aren’t looking for luxury brands, they do appreciate well-maintained clothing. Avoid bringing anything with major stains or damage.
- Dry-fit and casual wear – These are practical, comfortable, and tend to be in demand. You’ll be surprised at who is willing to purchase your old dry-fit class tees or CCA shirts!
- Clothes that are no longer trendy – Even if they’re not fashionable anymore, someone else might find them appealing for daily wear or work.
- Men’s clothing – Surprisingly, male customers shop here too! However, since most sellers are female, men’s clothing tends to be in short supply. If you have extra men’s clothing, bring them along—you might make some unexpected sales. Personally, I felt really bad for all the male customers shopping for themselves during the Luggage Market, because there weren’t a lot of booths with items for them. So, I would highly recommend for you to get some male friends on board or ask your male relatives to donate some clothing for your booth as well!
- Accessories and bags – While the main focus is on clothes, small accessories like scarves, hats, or even simple tote bags can be a nice addition to your stall.
Tip: Be mindful of sizes. Tiny crop tops and XXS pieces may not sell as well compared to more universal sizes like M or L.
Things to prepare
- Cash – Many, if not most buyers will pay with cash, so have plenty of small change ready.
- Cardboard Signboards – Price signs help customers quickly see your deals and help attract more people to your booth. Considering the crowds and the number of booths at the Luggage Market, try your best to do anything to stand out!
- Masks – If you have allergies or sinus issues, a mask will be a lifesaver in the dusty flea market environment.
- Portable Chargers – Your phone will be in use a lot for pricing, coordinating with friends, and even snapping quick photos of sold items.
- Plastic Bags – Offering a bag makes it easier for customers to carry their purchases, which can encourage them to buy more.
- Water and Snacks – Selling for hours is tiring, so stay hydrated and keep some light snacks on hand.
Sales game plan
Pricing strategy
At the market, flexibility is key when it comes to pricing. Customers will almost always try to bargain, so be prepared to negotiate. For the Luggage Market, I recommend pricing your items in bundle deals (3 for $10, 2 for $6), as keeping track of individual prices can be challenging amidst the market’s chaotic atmosphere. Bundle deals simplify negotiations and make bargaining with customers smoother, ultimately encouraging more sales and making shoppers more likely to buy from you!
As the day progresses, many sellers will start lowering their prices too. It’s a good idea to regularly check other stalls to ensure that your prices remain competitive. However, don’t feel pressured to lower your prices every time—sometimes, it’s more about whether a customer finds something they like rather than who offers the lowest price. Luggage Market has a rule where sellers cannot sell items for $2 per piece before 4 PM to prevent unfair pricing competition. But as the market winds down, slashing prices can help clear your remaining stock.
Splitting profits with friends
To keep things simple and fair, my friends and I agreed to sell all our clothes at the same base price. This made it much easier to divide the money afterward. Since we pooled our items together, we were able to offer bundle deals like 3 for $10 or 3 for $5.
To track sales, we created a group chat where we snapped photos of sold items and noted their prices in real time.
After the market, we compiled all the data into an Excel sheet, which helped us accurately calculate how much each person earned based on their contributed items.
The right mindset
The Luggage Market isn’t about making a huge profit—it’s about rehoming clothes in a sustainable way. If you’re too rigid with pricing, you may end up taking unsold clothes home. It’s important to go in with a relaxed mindset, willing to let go of items at reasonable prices. The more willing you are to negotiate and be flexible, the more likely you’ll be able to clear your clothes while making some cash.
The actual Luggage Market experience
The actual experience was both exhausting and rewarding. Throughout the day, we interacted with a huge crowd, and having friends made the whole process easier. We took turns attracting customers and handling transactions, which helped with the fatigue that sets in after several hours. The most exciting part was seeing how fast some clothes sold, while others required a little more effort and negotiation.
The best feeling was seeing how little clothes we were left with at the end of the day compared to the huge pile we had in the morning. My friends and I were there for the full duration of the Luggage Market, from 9 AM to 6 PM.
A meaningful and fun activity
What surprised me from this activity was how meaningful the whole experience was. Seeing our pre-loved items find new owners who genuinely appreciated them was fulfilling. The customers were polite and friendly, with some even helping to tidy our booth by picking up fallen clothes without hesitation. Additionally, it was eye-opening to witness firsthand the impact of consumerism and fast fashion. Sorting through my own pile of clothes made me more aware of how much I had accumulated over the years, and it served as a reminder to be more mindful of future purchases.
Of course, the financial aspect was another plus. I managed to earn $170, and after deducting the booth rental, I still took home about $150. One of my friends made $200, simply because she brought the most clothes! Considering these were items we would have otherwise donated or thrown away, it felt incredibly rewarding to see them repurposed and appreciated.
Also read: 5 Fun Art Activities to Do With Friends in Singapore
If you’re looking for something new and meaningful to do this weekend, why not sign up for the luggage market with your friends? It’s a great way to declutter, make some cash, and enjoy an unconventional bonding experience. So gather your clothes, grab your friends, and give it a shot!
