Used Merchandise Stores NAICS 459510

Sep 10, 2025 - Thrift Store Sales Up

• Major thrift chains are seeing double-digit growth in the first half of 2025, as consumers seek deals in an uneven economy impacted by tariffs, according to the New York Post. Evergreen Goodwill, a 23-store network based in Washington, said its weekly foot traffic was up 6% year-over-year in the first half of 2025, double its typical annual growth. Its flagship store in Seattle posted a 9% increase in sales during the period. Clothing is a category sensitive to tariffs, with many manufacturers depending on overseas textile manufacturers. Savers CEO Mark Walsh said its stores saw double-digit growth in the US in its second quarter, while officials at Buffalo Exchange, a chain of over 40 thrift stores, said its sales soared in the first half of the year. Resale operators say they don’t anticipate raising prices or facing shortages, as they have a robust supply of donations.
• Indicators measuring the collective mood of US consumers showed a downward turn, with consumer confidence and consumer sentiment levels falling. Consumer confidence levels, an indicator of discretionary expenditures, declined in August 2025, month over month, falling by 1.3 points, according to the Consumer Confidence Index. Consumer confidence levels were lower in August, but remained similar to levels in the past three months, according to The Conference Board, which publishes the monthly index. August’s loss can be attributed to consumers under 35 years old, while confidence levels rose for consumers over 55. In addition, the consumer sentiment index from the University of Michigan dropped in August 2025 for the first time in four months. The index fell to 58.2 in August data from 61.7 in July. Year-ahead inflation expectation results were higher monthly, as consumers convey lingering anxiety about prices amid tariff impacts. The index serves as a predictor of consumer spending as it indicates consumers’ perception of their financial prospects and the broader economy.

• Secondhand apparel may be a growing part of back-to-school sales, according to a new Coresight Research survey on US back-to-school spending in Yahoo Finance. The survey estimates that US back-to-school spending will grow 3.3% year over year, reaching $33.3 billion, with consumers anticipating spending more amid inflationary impacts. Focused on value amid broader economic pressures, consumers are seeking budget-friendly shopping options such as secondhand apparel. According to the survey, “Most shoppers expect to exceed last year’s spending, but inflation, tariffs and supply chain uncertainty continue to weigh on purchase decisions. These concerns are driving behavioral shifts, with many consumers planning to start shopping earlier, explore secondhand options, or adjust where and how they shop in response to higher prices and potential product shortages.” Back-to-school shopping is inching earlier, with 62% of respondents planning to shop before August compared to 53.9% in 2024, potentially motivated by concerns of potential tariffs.
• Sales for the US used merchandise stores industry are projected to grow at a CAGR of 3.17% between 2025 and 2029, according to a forecast from Inforum and the Interindustry Economic Research Fund, Inc. The expected growth rate is slower than the overall economy‘s anticipated growth. The retail and wholesale sectors are driven by consumer spending, along with expenditure by businesses and the government. The forecast said retail spending could soften with the growth of spending on consumer services. A factor that may limit consumer spending is higher tariffs on consumer goods. On a positive note, lower inflation supports a moderate increase of real disposable income by about 2% in 2025 and 1.9% in 2026. Real income could suffer to an extent if average prices rise due to tariff implementation.