SECONDHAND SUCCESS: PROFITABILITY, SUSTAINABILITY, AND OPERATIONAL CHALLENGES OF UKAY-UKAY BUSINESSES IN THE INFORMAL RETAIL SECTOR

This study examines the profitability, sustainability, and operational challenges of ukay-ukay businesses in the informal retail sector. It explores how secondhand clothing enterprises contribute to economic resilience while addressing sustainability concerns and operational constraints. The findings provide insights into informal entrepreneurship, resource management, and adaptive strategies in small-scale retail businesses. This paper is published in the South East Asia Journal of Contemporary Business, Economics and Law (SEAJBEL), Vol. 37, 2026. This version is shared for academic and non-commercial purposes.