From Passion to Profit: Expert Tips and Resources for Starting Your Secondhand Clothing Resale Business

In this article, we will share the best resources we've discovered to help you immediately generate revenue in your reselling business. We'll provide articles that have empowered us and can do the same for you. While the best way to learn is through trial and error, having some general knowledge will give you a solid foundation. We will guide you through the necessary steps to launch your reselling store.

You'll find resources to help you establish your niche and stand out in this rapidly growing industry. We'll also cover different options for supplementing your inventory, the basics of business branding, where to start selling online and in local markets, and share special exclusive tips from Thrift Vintage Fashion Owners that we've learned over two decades of supplying thousands of vintage and secondhand clothing stores worldwide. With two of our retail stores, we've gained firsthand experience in the secondhand retail market, which we want to share with you to be successful in this industry. You will find this section at the very end of the article.

Establish Your Niche & Sub Niche

Finding a way to stand out from the rest of the resellers is essential. Consider what sparks your interest and what you feel inspired to source. Here are some examples: basic closet staples, women’s modern clothing, women’s Y2K style, women’s vintage style, men’s vintage styles, men’s Y2K, plus-size styles for men, women, or unisex, outdoor wear and gear, vintage furniture or household items, reworked items, athleisure wear, jewelry, memorabilia, baby and children’s clothing, and vinyl records.

There are countless options to choose from. If you’re unsure, download apps like Whatnot, Depop, or Etsy and explore other reseller pages to see if certain styles inspire you. If you don’t find something you love, you can create your niche and run with it! Apparel Entrepreneurship wrote a thorough article about finding your fashion niche. Give it a read to help guide you if you are struggling to find your niche.

It's also important to consider offering subcategories. These should be categories that are popular with most people visiting your store. While focusing on your niche is crucial, carrying some classic styles and easy-sell items will help ensure steady sales. At the end of the day, the most important thing is to get sales, so find a balance that works for you.

Inventory Sourcing

Visit Your Local Thrift Store

When you're first starting, visiting your local thrift store is a great option. Many resellers begin by hunting for items in their niche or sub-niche at thrift stores. Although time-consuming, this method is very affordable and allows you to build your inventory without significant upfront costs.

Find a Trusted Secondhand Clothing Wholesaler
Partnering with a trusted secondhand clothing wholesaler, like Thrift Vintage Fashion, can be a valuable resource for your business. However, it’s important to have additional sources to supplement your supply, especially for specialty pieces. Wholesalers often provide general trendy categories, but they may not always have rare specialty items.

*Hack: Visit our best sellers list to see which categories are currently trending in the wholesale market.*

Online Sourcing Platforms
For specific rare pieces, online platforms such as eBay and Whatnot are excellent alternatives. Online sourcing is often more efficient than visiting local thrift stores, as you can search for specific items and view all available options. On eBay, you can bid for items, negotiate with sellers, and purchase items below market value.

Whatnot is another great method to source inventory without leaving home. Resellers on Whatnot, like Midsmarket, host live shows by category. You can set reminders to attend live auctions that fit your niche and bid on items suitable for your store.

Using a combination of these sourcing methods will help you maintain a diverse and well-stocked inventory, setting your reselling business up for success.

Best Online Selling Platform and How to List Items

Selling online is a great way to get started with reselling. According to a recent Captial One Banking Research article, 93% of Americans shop online for secondhand items. If that doesn’t light a fire where the sun don’t shine, I'm not sure what will.

Listing on established platforms lets you receive sales right away, as these platforms have millions of daily users and traffic. Check out our guide for comparing the best reseller platforms. I recommend starting on these platforms instead of building your own website in the beginning. While having your website is important once you are an established business with a following, it requires significant effort to generate enough traffic to convert into sales. Ultimately it's more important to get going on what moves the needle immediately instead of "checking the boxes"

The small fees you pay on these platforms are well worth the traffic and sales you will receive compared to the time and effort needed to build and maintain your own website or sales channel. Download the apps that resonate with you and your store style and start listing immediately.

Important Elements of Each Listing
Samson, a YouTuber, created a video explaining the important elements of your listing, including photos, measurements, descriptions, and shipping. Watch his video here to learn more.

Best Selling Platforms and Cost of Selling
For a comprehensive guide on where to buy and sell vintage items online, read "The Vintage Seeker: Where to Buy and Sell Vintage Online."

By leveraging these established platforms, you can start generating sales quickly and efficiently, setting a strong foundation for your reselling business.

Sustainable Success: Harnessing ThredUp Data for Growth in the Secondhand Industry

By 2028, the global secondhand market is projected to reach $350 billion. Every reseller should take the time to go through the comprehensive ThredUp Report. Understanding the projections of this industry is crucial for staying inspired in your reselling journey. This report provides an excellent overview of the secondhand clothing industry, consumer secondhand shopping data, resale projections, and the importance of advocating for government involvement.

Moreover, contributing to circular fashion is a significant part of this growth. Circular fashion emphasizes sustainability by extending the lifecycle of garments through reuse and recycling, reducing waste, and minimizing the environmental impact of fashion production. Both small and large resellers play a vital role in transforming shopping habits and promoting more sustainable consumer behaviors.

Resellers help shift the focus from fast fashion to more thoughtful consumption, making a difference in how people shop. By offering quality secondhand items, resellers not only provide unique and affordable fashion choices but also support the movement towards a more sustainable and eco-friendly fashion industry.

The insights from the ThredUp Report will help you stay informed and motivated as you navigate the dynamic world of reselling. It offers valuable data that can guide your business decisions and help you understand the broader trends shaping the industry, empowering you to make a positive impact through your reselling efforts.

Local Vendor Markets

Look up your local artisan vendor markets; they are an excellent place to start selling and making sales. Local artisan markets are a fantastic way to connect with customers and gain firsthand insight into what shoppers are looking to purchase. They also provide a great opportunity to meet like-minded resellers and get inspired by their setups. Especially at the beginning of your reselling journey, it's important to keep an open mind and absorb as much as you can from each event. Always look for small ways to improve every single time.

Local vendor markets can charge $100-$250 per event, depending on the market's popularity. Typically, the cost will include a tent, but you will need to bring the rest of your supplies. Check out this Artisan Market Checklist by workingsilver.com, which covers the basic essentials for display items, business essentials, handy tools, and other miscellaneous items you will need for a pop-up market. It's crucial to be as prepared as possible to avoid losing a sale or looking unprofessional in front of your customer base.

However, don't get caught up in analysis paralysis. The best way to learn is by trial and error, so sign up and start selling. Be ready for a long day that includes packing up the car, setting up your booth, working the event, and breaking down afterward. If you're a one-person show, make sure to bring water and food so you don't have to leave your booth.

Tips from the TVF Owners, A Trusted Resource in the Industry

Tip 1: The price point range that drives the most volume is items $35 and under. Although we maintain a small section for high-end, more expensive pieces, the majority of our store is priced under $35. This strategy caters to the thrifting audience, who typically prefer to spend less on their wardrobe while still enjoying unique and stylish finds. By focusing on affordable price points, you can attract more customers and increase your sales volume.

Tip 2: Ask yourself WHY you want to become a reseller. This core motivation will drive you to push your store to the next level. Whether your goal is to open a brick-and-mortar store or create financial freedom for yourself and your family, having a strong WHY is essential. A clear purpose will keep you focused and resilient through challenges. If your aim is simply to make a quick flip, you may find the effort and time investment to be unfulfilling. A deeper motivation will sustain your passion and dedication in the long run.

Tip 3: The popularity of vintage t-shirts and sweatshirts has surged, driven by fashion trends and the nostalgic appeal of bygone eras. As more people seek out these distinctive pieces, the supply of authentic vintage items is dwindling, making it harder to find true vintage treasures.

As a wholesaler working with rag houses worldwide, we constantly face the challenge of sourcing genuine vintage clothing. Despite this, our experience with our own retail stores and our network of thousands of thrift stores has revealed an interesting consumer behavior. The average shopper is more focused on the price and the "thrill of the thrift" rather than the authenticity of the vintage label. They enjoy the experience of discovering unique items at a great value, regardless of whether they are genuinely vintage or not. For instance, we sell modern rock t-shirts at retail for $25 each, and they are more popular then our vintage music tees. This shift in consumer priorities highlights an important aspect of the secondhand clothing industry.

Tip 4: Create a digging experience for shoppers by setting up bins with attractively priced items. In our store, we have six bins at the back priced at $6, $9, and $12. These items usually have small defects or are modern styles we don't sell wholesale. If you're just starting out, you can replicate this by buying a large black tub and pricing items at $6 that are less desirable for your main racks. These bins not only add an element of fun to the shopping experience but also help you sell inventory that might otherwise be overlooked. Shoppers love the thrill of finding a bargain, and these items often sell quickly.

I hope you found these tips helpful. Thrift Vintage Fashion aims to be a resource for all resellers in the secondhand clothing industry. When you spend $500 at ThriftVintageFashion.com, you can sign up for a free consultation with one of the owners, who are leading experts in the secondhand market. This consultation will provide personalized guidance and insights to help you succeed in your reselling journey.

Resource Round Up

Best Selling Platforms and Cost of Selling
For a comprehensive guide on where to buy and sell vintage items online, read "The Vintage Seeker: Where to Buy and Sell Vintage Online."

Local Vendor Market Setup
Check out this Artisan Market Checklist by workingsilver.com, which covers the basic essentials for display items, business essentials, handy tools, and other miscellaneous items you will need for a pop-up market.

Secondhand Clothing Market ThredUp Report
This report provides an excellent overview of the secondhand clothing industry, consumer secondhand shopping data, resale projections, and the importance of advocating for government involvement. TreadUp Report Here

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