Resale or retail? Can you tell the difference? Probably not! Today’s resale shops look the same as mainstream retailers... except for one big difference—they sell high quality at lower prices! The resale industry offers "Quality at a Savings!"

While many businesses close their doors every day, resale remains healthy and continues to be one of the fastest growing segments of retail. With new stores entering the industry and current establishments opening additional locations, the industry is experiencing a growth of approximately 5% a year. This percentage reflects the estimated number of new stores opening each year, minus the businesses that close. NARTS is proud to say that future owners who look to the Association for education prior to opening, then continue their education through NARTS membership, are very successful. Many resale shops don't survive that critical first year because the owners did not do their "homework" and had no idea where to begin or what expect. There are currently more than 25,000 resale, consignment and thrift shops in the United States.

Resale is a multi-billion dollar a year industry. Goodwill Industries alone generated $1.8 billion in retail sales from their more than 2,000 Not For Profit thrift stores across America in 2006—representing a 67% increase from 2001. Another NARTS member, Buffalo Exchange, who began with a 400 sq. ft. shop in 1974, has grown to a 32 store chain in twelve states. They employ more than 500 people and generated annual revenues of over $43 million in 2006. According to owners Kerstin and Spencer Block, their goal is to increase sales to $50 million within the next five years. Longtime NARTS member, Crossroads Trading Co., based in Berkeley, CA, rang up $20 million in sales last year at its 22 stores with plans to add three more stores. Add to this the many thousands of single location shops, hundreds of multi-location chains, franchises and Not For Profit thrift stores and you begin to realize the vast scope of this growing industry.

Resale shopping attracts consumers from all economic levels. There is no typical resale shopper, just as there is no typical resale shop. No one is immune to the excitement of finding a treasure and saving money. Shrewd shoppers take advantage of the opportunity resale offers to save money on apparel, furniture and other consumer goods. These savings can add quality to life when used for vacations, entertainment, funding college and retirement accounts, and expanding family activities.

According to America’s Research Group, a consumer research firm, about 16 - 18% of Americans will shop at a thrift store during a given year. For consignment/resale shops, it’s about 12 - 15%. To keep these figures in perspective, consider that during the same time frame; 11.4% of Americans shop in factory outlet malls, 19.6% in apparel stores and 21.3% in major department stores.

Resale has become destination shopping with the recent industry trend of clustering. Many areas are seeing resale, consignment and thrift stores opening in close proximity to each other, taking advantage of existing traffic. Antique shops have clustered for years, proving that consumers will drive farther to reach a group of like stores. Resalers love to make an event out of shopping in an area where they can visit a variety of resale stores with different merchandise lines.

The resale market is blossoming thanks to value-conscious consumers. With an increasing awareness of the importance of reducing pointless waste, we are progressing from a disposable society to a recycling society—a change that has enormous market potential for the resale industry as a whole. After all, "Resale is the ultimate in recycling!"