The Secondhand Surge: Why Thrift Stores Are Outpacing Traditional Retail
As shoppers become more value-conscious and sustainability takes center stage, the secondhand market is experiencing unprecedented growth. From Gen Z to Millennials, consumers are choosing thrift not just as a trend, but as a smart, economical lifestyle choice.
This shift toward thrift isn’t driven solely by style or sustainability, it’s also a practical response to today’s economic realities. As household budgets tighten and consumer confidence wanes, more shoppers are prioritizing value and making intentional choices about what they buy. Secondhand retail offers the perfect blend of affordability, quality, and environmental responsibility, making it the go-to option for a growing number of consumers navigating uncertain times.
The numbers tell the story:
- 62% of Gen Z and Millennials now prefer secondhand over new.
- Donations are pouring in at unprecedented rates.
- Thrift store sales are outpacing traditional retail growth.
The New Resale Shopper
The resale market has evolved dramatically. What began as a niche pursuit for unique vintage finds and sustainable fashion, has shifted into a mainstream strategy for saving money.
According to apparel analyst data from Circana, one-third of consumers purchased apparel from online resale sites in the past year. But here’s the key shift:
- 50% of resale shoppers are motivated by price and value
- Only 23% seek hard-to-find or luxury pieces.
More consumers are now buying accessible brands through resale platforms than luxury items, reshaping the market from aspirational shopping to smart spending.
In an inflationary climate with rising clothing costs, resale offers consumers access to the brands they want, just at more sustainable price points. This shift is fueling the thrift retail boom like never before.
The Thrift Retail Challenge
While demand is skyrocketing, so are operational pressures. Unlike traditional retail, thrift inventory can’t be pre-ordered, forecasted, or easily categorized:
- Donations arrive in unpredictable bulk drops.
- Every item is unique, requiring individual inspection, pricing, and labeling.
- Inventory turns fast, and pricing accuracy can make or break margins.
- Without real-time data, it’s nearly impossible to keep intake and sales aligned.
The truth is, most POS systems simply weren’t built for thrift. They’re designed for managing new, uniform inventory, not the fast-paced, unpredictable world of resale.
How Leading Thrift Stores Are Staying Ahead
Forward-thinking thrift retailers, from local nonprofits to large organizations like Goodwill Industries of Northwest Texas, are turning to RCS Thrift Production Manager (TPM) to bring order and efficiency to the chaos.
“TPM has made our processes more efficient, more responsive, and much less stressful.” – Nick Robinson of Goodwill Industries of Northwest Texas
Here’s how TPM is transforming thrift operations:
- 5x Faster Admin Tasks: Pricing changes and credential updates take minutes instead of hours.
- Smarter Pricing: Quality assessments and brand lookups improve pricing accuracy and customer satisfaction.
- Reduced Downtime: Reliable tag printing and responsive support keep production moving.
- Real-Time Reporting: Frontline staff see performance metrics, stock levels, and goals instantly.
- Streamlined Intake: Label everything from vintage denim to coffee mugs with just a few clicks.
- Multilingual Support: Five languages to reflect the diversity of today’s workforce.
Built for Thrift, Not Just Retail
TPM isn’t a one-size-fits-all retail tool. It’s purpose-built for resale:
- Fully customizable categories
- Pricing assistant
- Bulk item processing
- Role-based permissions
- Seamless integration with NCR Counterpoint
Whether you’re running one store or a multi-state operation, TPM scales without slowing you down.
Bottom Line: The Second Hand Surge is Here
The thrift boom isn’t slowing down. Shoppers are more value-conscious than ever, and resale is becoming a first-choice shopping destination. But meeting that demand takes more than great donations, it takes the right systems.
With RCS Thrift Production Manager, thrift retailers can turn donation-day chaos into organized, profitable inventory.
Ready to keep pace with the thrift retail surge? Contact us today and check out our latest Thrift Production Manager Webinar to learn more!
