The consignment and thrift store market is hot right now, as more consumers grapple with tight household budgets and a dwindling selection of goods on store shelves because of supply chain delays.
“Right now I do think people are shopping this way even more because we do keep the prices reasonable,'' said Tammy Gordon, the owner of ReDecor, a furniture consignment shop on Reynolds Road in South Toledo. “It is resale, but we do try to bring in nice quality pieces and right now we have some really amazing pieces in.”
According to ThreadUp, an online national resale company, the secondhand market is projected to double over the next five years, reaching $77 billion.
With a consignment business model, individuals or consignees agree to sell their items and split the profits with the consignment shop. Some consignees will bring items to a consignment store to avoid the hassle of returning the things they have purchased online, said Jackie Stark, the owner of Bella River Boutique, an upscale women’s apparel consignment store in Maumee where a portion of items in the store have never been worn and still have the original tags.
Customers can expect to pay one-third to one-half the retail price on items and there has been an uptick in shoppers not just looking for great deals, but also a better selection.
“I hear that the selection in retail stores is lousy and there is not a ton on the racks,” Ms. Stark said. “We have a lot here and I want people to feel like they can get a good deal when they come here to shop.”
The pandemic has changed the buying habits of her customers, as more women look for comfortable and easy-to-wear clothing.
“More casual clothes are what people are buying, even jeans with a jacket for the office,” Ms. Stark said. “I don’t even take suits any longer because they don’t sell.”
With a wide range of higher-end fashion labels including Eileen Fisher, Ralph Lauren, J. Crew, and Joseph Ribkoff, finding a well-made item at a good price is easy, said Sarah Life, 60 of Monclova Township, who often shops at the store.
“I just love it. She (Ms. Stark) has things that I wouldn’t necessarily find if I was shopping for myself, and somebody else has curated them for me,” Ms. Life said. “I am never disappointed with what I find and age is not relevant, I could pick something out that my daughters like and I could pick something out that someone older would like. I just never know what I am going to find.”
The store also carries over 100 handbags featuring top designers including Michael Kors, Dooney Bourke, Coach, Patricia Nash, and Kate Spade. There are also a limited number of Gucci and Louis Vuitton on hand and with the onset of warmer weather, sunglasses are also hot sellers and the store has a few pairs of Ray Ban, Prada, and Versace.
According to NARTS Association of Resale Professionals, a national membership organization, there are currently more than 25,000 resale, consignment and not-for-profit resale shops in the United States. The resale market is booming thanks in part to environmentally-conscious consumers who recognize the inherent sustainability factor of shopping resale, said Adele Meyer, NARTS executive director.
“The amount of textiles that go into landfills has to be controlled and this is one of the ways,” she said.
And because the industry comprises stores that appeal to all different age groups and all different demographics, just about anyone can take advantage of shopping resale, she said.
“People have so many things to put their money toward besides consumer goods, they may want a vacation, they may want to save for their retirement or for college education; there is a lot of pull on their money and for apparel, furniture, sporting goods all of these things they can save money on by shopping resale,” Ms. Meyer said.
Thrift stores are often run by not-for-profit organizations, which sell donated items to benefit a particular charity. Locally, several non-profit organizations have gotten in on the action including the Toledo Area Humane Society Maumee Valley Save A Pet, Goodwill, and St. Vincent de Paul, which operate thrift stores to support their mission. The stores are often staffed by volunteers or a small number of paid employees.
The American Cancer Society Discovery Shop in Sylvania features clothing, household items, jewelry, purses, shoes, and home accessories in a thrift store that continually cycles through new items. With shirts ranging in price from $4 to $7 and formal prom or mother-of-the-bride gowns ranging from $9 to $12, there is always a good deal to be had, said Cindy McGurk, the store manager.
“You never know what you’re going to find; it’s always a treasure hunt,” Ms. McGurk said. “And it’s a win-win because you get something you want or need and the money goes to the American Cancer Society, so it’s a win-win for everybody.”
Last year the store grossed $215,000 with proceeds after costs supporting the American Cancer Society. The Sylvania store is one of five American Cancer Society thrift shops operating in Ohio, Ms. McGurk said.
Patricia Byczinski, 88 both shops and donates items to the store.
“I have gorgeous dresses that I have gotten at thrift shops,” she said. “I bought my dress here for my Christmas picture and I still have it and it was on sale and I paid $10 for it.”
Jean Donoban of Sylvania has also been a regular shopper for years.
“They have good clothes, it’s clean and they are nice people,” she said.
The pandemic helped to fuel sales at Consign It! Home Interiors on Central Avenue, which saw a huge jump in curbside pickup business during the lockdown. Business has not slowed down and having inventory readily available has appealed to shoppers who are less than enthused to wait nine months for merchandise to arrive because of supply chain issues, said store manager Tony Rasczyk. Also, with a robust online presence, he has drawn customers from as far away as Columbus.
“Our customers are ages 20 to 90 and they are all different incomes,” he said. “Whether it is someone struggling and wanting something basic, to people with a lot of money who just like a good deal.”
A majority of the store features used items that are sold on consignment, which at times are practically brand new and can be priced as much as half the retail price. Mixed in with the consignment items are several new furniture pieces such as sofas ranging from $599 to $1,500.
Carrying a line of new furniture with neutral patterns helps to complement the mix of used pieces, Mr. Rasczyk said. The store also houses 60 vendors that have individual booths featuring a variety of furniture, upcycled goods, and accessories.
As an inventory-driven business, being aware of what’s trending and appealing to customers helps to keep things moving. Formal dining room sets and television stands for example are no longer as desirable, while coffee tables have been hot sellers, he said.
Greg Adams grew up in Sylvania and now lives in the Chicago area. After his mother passed away, he brought many of her belongings to the consignment store.
“I had a condo-worth of stuff that I needed to figure out what to do,” he said. “This was a perfect way to get rid of the good stuff.”
First Published May 14, 2022, 11:00 a.m.