The growth in the number of second hand shops in the Netherlands would appear to be over, with a downturn in sales and the first bankruptcies, according to sector organisation BKN.

Last year, the 180 shops affiliated to BKN saw their combined turnover fall 3% to €79m. In 2009, there were over 200 second hand shops.

The good years would appear to be over, spokeswoman Leonie Reinders told broadcaster Nos. ‘Many people see the shops as dusty and old-fashioned,’ she said. ‘The quality varies enormously. Some are very professionally run, others are amateurish.’

The arrival of high street budget stores such as Primark, Action and Big Bazar have also had an impact, she said. ‘The second hand shop used to be the place to pick up a bargain, but we no longer have this exclusivity,’ she told broadcaster Nos.