With spring cleaning in the air, Jennifer Hammond is hopeful local residents will take the chance to “clear out the clutter and cash in” as her children’s and maternity consignment sale enters its second year.

The Savvy Mom Sale, slated for March 11-13 at the Gathering Place in Spanish Fort, is designed to help shoppers and sellers make the most of the bargain hunting experience in a sour economy, Hammond said.

“The economy is slowly getting back on its feet, but really, people are getting adjusted to frugal living, and this is an excellent opportunity to take a look at what’s taking up space and make a little money,” she said.

And with 200 consignors expected — a substantial increase from the 150 who participated one year ago — Hammond said she isn’t surprised by the event’s growth because The Savvy Mom Sale offers higher returns than traditional consignment operations in a streamlined atmosphere.

Indeed, the sale offers consignors a base return of 65 percent on all sales and the potential to recoup as much as 75 percent of the item’s sale value. Volunteers who work four hours or those who refer at least five active consignors boost their take to 70 percent, while those who volunteer for eight hours earn 75 percent of each sale.

In addition, new parents and grandparents will be treated to a pre-sale pass on March 10, beginning at 7 p.m.

“It really is just a win-win for both consignors and shoppers because everybody gets great deals, and the consignors can turn right around and stretch the money they’ve earned a little further,” Hammond said.

Hammond said her sale’s bar code technology not only eliminates the need for long lines but increases transparency by allowing consignors to track their sales online daily.

In addition to children’s and maternity items, The Savvy Mom Sale will also accept shoes, baby gear, toys, children’s furniture, books, movies and even outdoor equipment.

And Hammond said the addition of social networking through a Facebook page has helped boost the event’s profile while also offering fans access to other frugal living tips and coupons for everyday items such as milk.

Of course, the Eastern Shore doesn’t have the market cornered on bargain shoppers.

According to the National Association of Retail and Thrift Shops, 71.4 percent of respondents to a survey comparing fourth quarter 2009 sales to those for the same period in 2008 said sales increased with an average increase of roughly 35 percent. Meanwhile, 12.8 percent said sales remained flat and only about 15.8 percent experienced a decline in sales.

In addition, the survey revealed 62.4 percent of respondents experienced an increase in the volume of merchandise being consigned. And because the national recession has created a new breed of frugal shoppers, 40.9 percent of respondents reported receiving higher-quality items. Likewise, 74.2 percent of respondents reported an increase in new customers.

Adele Meyer, the association’s executive director, said several factors contribute to the popularity of resale establishments during both “strong and unsettled economic climates.”

“Increased awareness of recycling, the quest for higher quality for less money, the lure of finding something distinctive, the ‘thrill of the hunt’ and the excitement of a good buy are just a few things that allure the savvy shopper. One of the foremost reasons that resale thrives in a slow economy is simple … People love a bargain,” Meyer said.