Things That Sell Best in a Thrift Store (2024)

FAQs

What sells most at thrift stores? ›

Clothing. Clothing is an item that sells best in thrift stores. Accounting for 31.8 percent of industry revenue, clothing is the largest revenue generator in the Thrift Stores industry, according to IBISWorld. Instead of paying higher retail prices, many people are switching to thrift stores for their clothing needs.

What items sell best in a thrift store? Vintage clothing, designer pieces, collectibles such as toys or mugs often have high resale potential. Textbooks and baby gear are also typically hot sellers.

Vintage Clothes Are Among the Best-Selling Items

Reselling shoes and sneakers, vintage jewelry and accessories, but also, kitchenware and entertainment products can also be very profitable.

High-demand items include branded sneakers, vintage T-shirts, and designer jackets, all of which have a dedicated buyer base. The key to success is pricing goods appropriately. Know brand values and current fashion trends to enhance sales potential. Capitalize on limited-edition sneakers or a classic leather jacket.

Keep an eye for quality: You should always go on thrift store runs to find high-quality items. It might take you a while to learn to recognize quality products but it can help you boost the reputation of your store. Also, high-quality items always sell for more. So, finding and stocking them amounts to more profit.

According to Goodwill, the perfect time slot to shop at thrift stores is in the morning on both Monday and Tuesday. This is because, at least as far as Goodwill is concerned, people tend to donate garage sale remnants on Sunday, so the pickings are new and fresh come early weekdays.

What do people buy the most? ›

Consumer Spending

A subcategory of consumer goods, consumer staples are products individuals consider essential and buy the most. These products include beverages, food, household items, and tobacco. Other consumer goods that people buy regularly are cleaning products, personal hygiene items, and clothing.

Among U.S. consumers the two most popular categories for online purchases are Clothing and Shoes. 43 percent and 33 percent of consumers respectively chose these answers in our representative online survey. The survey was conducted online among 10,051 respondents in the United States, in 2024.

Can you make money having a thrift store? Yes, it is possible to make money by opening a thrift store. Some online thrift store companies make a high-profit margin of 80%.

Can you make money having a thrift store? Yes, it is possible to make money by opening a thrift store. Some online thrift store companies make a high-profit margin of 80%.

According to Goodwill, the perfect time slot to shop at thrift stores is in the morning on both Monday and Tuesday. This is because, at least as far as Goodwill is concerned, people tend to donate garage sale remnants on Sunday, so the pickings are new and fresh come early weekdays.