Used Merchandise Stores

Brief Excerpt from Industry Overview Chapter:

Companies in this industry sell used merchandise such as clothing, antiques, furniture, books, and jewelry. Major US companies include Goodwill, The Salvation Army, Savers, and Winmark.

The used merchandise stores industry in the US includes about 18,000 stores with combined annual revenue of about $13 billion and is expected to grow at a moderate rate in the next two years. Growth drivers include consumer spending habits and style trends.

The industry includes resale shops, consignment shops, thrift shops, and antique stores. Excluded are stores that sell used cars, boats, trailers, and mobile homes. Pawn shops, which sell a variety of used merchandise but generate most of their revenue from interest and fees on loans, are discussed in this profile but not included in store count, revenue, or employment statistics.

COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

Demographics, consumer income, and consumer tastes drive demand. The profitability of individual companies depends on efficient procurement and effective merchandising. Large companies have advantages in marketing and finance. Small companies can compete effectively by offering specialty products, serving a local market, or providing superior customer service. The industry is highly fragmented: the 50 largest companies account for about 25 percent of sales.

Used merchandise stores compete with retailers offering new merchandise. Companies also compete with individuals selling used merchandise privately or through websites, such as eBay or Craigslist, or product swapping through services like Freecycle....