UK From Korea and Japan?
Cardigans. Blazers. Trousers. Winter Coats. Denim jeans. Blouses. Parkas. Shirts. Boxer shorts. Bras.
They are all UK. Alright they were sourced from Korea, Canada, Japan, Hong Kong, United States, but not United Kindom. People brand them all as from UK wherever they came from. UK is a euphemism for anything bought from ukay-ukay shop. Many people love to shop for imported goods, be it brand-new or second-hand, especially clothes. For them, Levi’s is still a Levi’s whether it’s worn-out or fresh from the factory. Armani jeans is still Armani even if it is torn at the legs. Tommy Hilfiger doesn’t diminish with its boxer shorts’ fading colors.
What draw them to this kind of bargain shopping is of course the price factor. They cost almost ten times cheaper than the brand-new ones albeit sometimes they look drab and worn-out. But as long as they are wearables, people buy them.
Carbon, Cebu’s largest flea market, is the single biggest destination of UK clothes coming from different countries. During Saturdays and Sundays, sidewalks near or leading to Carbon market are virtually unpassable to pedestrians as they are turned to temporary stalls for ukay-ukay shops.
Sales pitches are heard over blaring megaphones and loud speakers vying for attention from eager shoppers and impulse buyers who happen to pass by.