Used Merchandise Stores

The 12,900 used merchandise retailers in the US resell previously-owned goods, except for motor vehicles (autos, boats, motorcycles, recreational vehicles). Major revenue categories include used clothing, antiques, furniture, collectibles, books, and jewelry. Antiques are items over 100 years old. Collectibles may be old, but less than 100 years old. The industry includes permanent flea markets, but excludes pawn shops.

Variable Supply

Sources of supply for the used merchandise industry can vary and are often erratic.

More Resale Shoppers

More shoppers plan to frequent resale stores, as the used merchandise industry evolves and adopts features of the traditional retail model.

Sep 2, 2026 - Ikea Expands Resale Nationwide

• Ikea’s expansion of its buyback and resale program to all full-format US stores highlights growing mainstream competition for used merchandise retailers, according to a Yahoo Finance report. Ikea has repurchased about 53,000 items over five years and sees resale as a growth area, appealing both to bargain hunters and shoppers seeking distinctive designs. The program also strengthens customer loyalty: participants visit Ikea stores 50% more often on average during the following six months. For used merchandise retailers, the expansion validates strong consumer interest in secondhand goods, especially as affordability concerns support demand for lower-cost furniture. However, it also raises competitive pressure as major retailers use trade-in credits, repair capabilities, and existing store networks to capture resale spending. Independent resale shops may need to differentiate through broader product selection, unique inventory, convenience, or local expertise.
• Weaker consumer confidence in August points to a cautious outlook for US used merchandise retailers, although value-oriented resale may remain comparatively resilient as households seek lower-cost alternatives. The University of Michigan’s Consumer Sentiment Index fell 6.3% to 51.7, signaling weaker overall spending confidence. Its Current Economic Conditions Index declined 5.3% to 51.9, suggesting greater near-term budget pressure that could encourage some consumers to trade down to secondhand goods. The Expectations Index dropped 7.0% to 51.5, potentially restraining discretionary purchases even in resale channels. The Conference Board’s Consumer Confidence Index slipped to 89.4. Its Present Situation Index rose 6.8 points to 121.2, offering some support from improved labor-market perceptions. However, its Expectations Index fell 5.8 points to 68.2, suggesting consumers may remain highly price-conscious in coming months.
• Mastercard’s June 2026 “The Next Era of Conscious Consumption” report highlights favorable demand trends for the US used merchandise industry as resale shopping becomes increasingly mainstream. Price remains the biggest driver, with 78% of consumers saying they buy used to save money, while secondhand clothing sales in the world’s top 20 circular economies rose 28% year over year in 2025, far outpacing the 8% growth at traditional clothing stores, according to the Mastercard Economics Institute. Younger consumers are fueling the shift, with more than 60% of Gen Z and Millennials willing to pay more for sustainable products and showing much greater adoption of resale and rental models than older shoppers. The report also found 71% of consumers prefer repairing products rather than replacing them, reinforcing broader consumer acceptance of circular commerce and supporting long-term growth opportunities for resale retailers.
• ThredUp’s 2026 Resale Report projects the US secondhand apparel market will reach $78.8 billion by 2030, growing at an average annual rate of about 7.3%, signaling continued momentum for the used merchandise retail industry, according to Retail Dive. Resale is growing far faster than the broader clothing market, with the US secondhand market expanding nearly four times faster than retail clothing in 2025. Gen Z and millennials are expected to account for more than 70% of resale market growth, while shoppers increasingly discover secondhand products through social media, AI shopping tools, and in-person browsing. The report suggests used merchandise retailers could continue gaining market share from traditional apparel sellers as consumers prioritize value and economic uncertainty encourages secondhand spending.

Industry size & Structure

The average used merchandise retailer operates out of a single location, employs 16 workers, and generates nearly $2 million annually.

• The used merchandise retail industry consists of about 12,900 firms that employ about 211,500 workers and generate $25.1 billion annually.
• The used merchandise industry is fragmented; the top 50 companies account for approximately one-third of industry revenue.
• The industry includes chains, franchises, and independent operators.
• Large firms include Savers, Winmark (owns Once Upon a Child, Plato’s Closet, Play-It-Again Sports, Music Go Round, Style Encore), and Uptown Cheapskate.
• Large non-profit service organizations, such as Goodwill and the Salvation Army, operate used merchandise retail locations.