Thrift companies refer to two distinct types of entities: financial institutions specializing in mortgages and savings (savings and loan associations), or retail businesses that sell secondhand, donated, or pre-loved goods to support charitable causes.
A thrift store is a retail shop that sells donated, gently used goods at low prices. These stores often carry a wide variety of items, including clothing, furniture, household goods, books, and more.
A type of specialized banking organization that includes savings and loans associations and savings banks. Thrifts, like commercial banks, raise funds by taking deposits, but they are more restricted in the types of business activities in which they can engage.
Whether you're eyeing vintage furniture, designer clothes or unique home decor, reselling thrifted items can be a flexible and rewarding way to earn extra income. However, while it may seem as simple as buying low and selling high, successful flipping requires strategy, patience and a keen eye for value.
Why Americans Are Suddenly All In On Thrift Clothes
Is thrifting popular in the UK?
According to recent research, just under half of people in England and Wales are shopping more in charity shops, or considering doing so due to the rising cost of living.
How profitable is a thrift store business? Opening a thrift store can be profitable, particularly if you're sourcing inventory from donations. There's no cost to buy goods. You'll just need to price the item to cover operating costs like marketing, store rent, and business insurance.
It is not recommended to wear thrift-store clothing or any vintage item without washing or dry cleaning. These garments have (at minimum) likely been treated with a disinfectant and may not have been properly cleaned before donation.
I've always thought THRIFT STORES were what the North Americans call CHARITY SHOPS (or CHAZZERS as we sometimes call them in the UK). They're run by all kinds of different charities and people donate stuff to them and they sell it - clothes, books, old DVDs, vinyl records, kids' stuff, etc.
Thrift-store shopping can be an exciting way to score great deals, but before you wear your new finds, experts highly recommend washing and disinfecting secondhand clothes. Clothing can contain germs like bacteria, fungi, viruses and even parasites, which can cause illness.
Variety: Clothing, jewelry, home decor, and video games remain the top categories for reselling in 2026. Acquisition: Sourcing items from yard sales, thrift stores, and online marketplaces can yield significant profits.
In 2024, Vinted Group delivered consolidated revenue of €813.4 million, a 36% increase (2023: €596.3 million). The Group significantly strengthened its financial position, reporting a net profit of €76.7 million, up 330% (2023: €17.8 million in 2023).
The process can be relatively simple, beginning with researching local thrift stores, purchasing items you know to be of interest and worth more than the store's price, displaying and marketing these items online, and eventually selling and shipping them.
Do thrift stores wash clothes before putting them up?
They do ask that you wash your donations first, but there's no secret laundry squad making sure this happens. So, always bring in your clothes clean and ready for their second life.
