‘Cost is a crucial factor': Aussie business owners reveal why their products are made in China
Alexandra Pappas, 36, is the founder of statement homewares company No. 22 and she's found it impossible to get her products made in Australia.
'We have found that producing our products in China costs, on average, around one-third of what it would be to manufacture the same products in Australia or other regions,' she told news.com.au.
'As we look to develop a new range of glassware, the quotes we have received from Australian-based manufacturers are significantly higher than those from Chinese factories.'
Ms Pappas argued that 'cost is a crucial factor' in decision-making, and if it costs more to make something, ultimately, she has to pass on that cost to consumers.
Her focus has to be on keeping the business profitable.
And Aussies might like to say they want things made in Australia, but do they want to pay inflated prices?
It is a question that Ms Pappas isn't prepared to risk asking her customers.
'For example, we are currently collaborating on a limited-edition collection with a specialist factory in Greece,' she said.
'The production costs for this collection are approximately four times higher than our core range. As a result, this collection will be positioned at a premium price point in order for it to be feasible and successful for us.'
The business owner argued that getting stuff made in China isn't just a money-saving technique — it's also a great place to have products made.
'China offers world-class manufacturing capabilities, particularly when it comes to producing high-quality ceramics at scale,' she said.
'The factory we work with is home to highly skilled artisans who have crafted for some of the world's leading lifestyle and homewares brands.'
Ms Pappas argued that there's still a stigma when someone hears something is 'made in China', one she disagrees with.
'There is still a misconception that manufacturing in China equates to lower quality,' she said.
'Many of the best lifestyle products are produced there because of the unmatched craftsmanship, access to materials and capacity for consistent, high-volume production.'
Tina Grosso, the founder of underwear brand Chou Chou intimates, has a similar perspective, but her decision stems from what she couldn't find in Australia.
'Choosing to manufacture in China isn't just about lowering costs, it's about accessing a level of craftsmanship, technical capability, and scalability that's incredibly hard to find in Australia,' she told news.com.au.
'Locally, I am yet to find a factory equipped to handle the kind of specialised work we do at the scale we do it, especially when it comes to lingerie or detailed garment construction.'
Ms Grosso, 30, said that while 'manufacturing offshore does offer cost efficiencies,' she believes the real value comes from the makers there.
'The real value is in working with partners who understand our product, share our quality standards, and can support our long-term growth,' she said.
'We've built relationships with trusted suppliers who are experienced, ethical, and deeply skilled in their craft.'
Before she started manufacturing her products in China, quality was her 'biggest concern,' and she wanted to make sure she understand exactly how the process would work.
'Before committing to any purchase orders, I physically went and visited the production sites, requested multiple samples, asked for and reviewed all their audits and certifications,' she said.
Despite how much she can justify her decision to manufacture her brand offshore, she knows it comes with criticism.
'There's still a lot of outdated stigma attached to 'Made in China,' especially in fashion,' she said.
'I think brands hesitate to talk about it because they fear it might dilute their perceived value but the truth is, where something is made matters less than how it's made and who you're working with.'
At the end of the day, though, the business owner simply couldn't find a local supplier in Australia who could meet her needs.
'Especially since lingerie requires specialised machinery and technical expertise. Beyond that, finding enough skilled seamstresses to produce at scale, particularly in NSW, would be incredibly difficult,' she said.
'Based on my research, if we were to factor in local wages, limited access to materials, and smaller production runs, I estimate the cost would be at least 60-70 per cent higher than manufacturing in China.'
That reality means that once she crunched the numbers, there was no way she could afford to make her lingerie in Australia.
'At that cost, even with minimum margins, the retail price of our garments would be pushed beyond what most customers are willing to pay — making the product commercially unviable,' she said.
'The difference isn't just about saving — it's what enables us to reinvest into quality, sustainability and storytelling while keeping our pieces accessible.'
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Picture: Facebook 4. Initiatives are in place to help lower-income shoppers While these higher priced items still make up a small minority of items for sale, and most items are considered affordable – those who are doing it tough can always access initiatives at op shops to help them shop. 'There are often people who turn to our shops who are facing financial constraints or disadvantage,' the spokesperson said. 'We will provide people in need with vouchers to go into our shops and have dignity to shop like any other customer. For anyone who requires further assistance, the St Vincent de Paul Society has Vinnies Support Centres (VSC) across Australia.' This Kathmandu puffer jacket in a Vinnies in Sydney was $50 but retails for $200-$300. Picture: Supplied 5. Who really benefits from complaining about high prices? While there might be a lot of outrage online about op-shop prices these days, it's important to think about who might actually be behind these sorts of posts. There's a trend for 'resellers' to go around to different op shops and buy in bulk at low prices, to then resell with higher prices on platforms like Depop, Facebook Marketplace, car boot sales and clothing markets. Resellers represent a large proportion of op shop buyers, so it makes sense that they have a commercial interest in driving down prices at op shops for their own personal gain. It's also worth noting that not many people complain about the high prices on resell platforms, even though a lot of their stock is originally bought from an op shop. If thrift shoppers were to see something for $300 on Depop (which is not uncommon), they might automatically assume it's a high-value item. Whereas if the same thing was seen at an op shop, that same person might take a video for TikTok, labelling it a 'rip off' – despite it being the exact same thing. Who actually benefits from videos like these? Picture: TikTok Often resellers will attempt to drive down op shop prices for their own financial gain. Picture: TikTok 6. Running a op shop comes at a cost There is a misconception that running op shops is free or low-cost, because items are donated. But like any organisation, op shops also have budgets from an organisational perspective that link back to planning, resourcing, priorities and sustainability. They are also privy to the commercial realities of running a brick-and-mortar store, which means leases, utilities, sorting facilities, and recycling costs. So, before we rush to call out that hundred-dollar dress, let's try and think about who is really losing when we expect charity shops to sell everything, even designer items, for next to nothing. Continue the conversation. Follow me on Instagram @el_katelaris Originally published as Reality behind 'insane' op shop trend
