Used merchandise stores — US Industry Report
The used merchandise stores industry in the United States generated an estimated ~$22.9B in annual revenue across 19.5K establishments employing 222.5K workers (Census Bureau). This 24-page report analyzes industry performance, competitive dynamics, and delivers 5-year growth forecasts.
Industry Snapshot
- ▸Payroll expansion outpacing wage growth relative to inflation
- ▸Used merchandise retail demonstrating growth velocity above broader retail sector
- ▸Per-store labor costs at cyclical highs while compensation lags competitive retail markets
- ▸Fragmented store base sustains employment without significant industry consolidation
Table of Contents
1.Executive Summaryp. 5
Key takeaways, industry definition, and current state overview. Covers the industry's scope, principal activities, NAICS classification context, and a concise snapshot of where the industry stands today. Reading this alone gives decision-makers the high-level picture they need before diving into data-backed chapters.
2.Industry Performancep. 6
Historical performance analysis covering establishments, employment, and payroll (2012-2025). Examines what has driven industry performance in recent years, how the industry has responded to macroeconomic cycles, and which operating conditions have shaped revenue and labor dynamics. Includes source-cited tables and year-by-year data points.
3.Industry Forecastp. 9
5-year projections (2026-2030) with base case, bull case, and bear case scenarios. Each scenario combines historical trends, macroeconomic indicators from FRED, and industry-specific signals. Addresses questions on expected trajectory, forecast risk, downside drivers, and the assumptions behind each scenario.
4.Industry Outlookp. 12
Growth drivers, risk factors, and external environment analysis. Unpacks the forces that will shape the industry over the forecast horizon — demographic shifts, regulatory changes, technology adoption, and cyclical exposure. Frames both the upside opportunities and the structural risks operators and investors should weigh.
5.Competitive Landscapep. 14
Market structure overview, barriers to entry, and competitive dynamics. Describes how the industry is organized between large incumbents and smaller operators, how fragmented or concentrated it is, and the typical strategies firms use to compete. Named companies and market-share figures are covered at Standard tier and above.
6.Operating Conditionsp. 17
Cost structure, labor requirements, technology factors, and the regulatory environment. Examines where operators spend, how sensitive margins are to input costs, what workforce and technology investments are typical, and which compliance and regulatory constraints shape day-to-day operations and long-term planning.
7.SWOT Analysisp. 19
Strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats — each supported by concrete evidence from the underlying data. Moves beyond generic bullet points by tying each SWOT element to specific metrics, structural trends, or external forces identified elsewhere in the report. Useful for strategic planning and risk assessment.
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The Used merchandise stores industry (NAICS 45331) encompasses 19.5K establishments in the United States employing 222.5K workers, generating an estimated ~$22.9B in annual revenue (Census Bureau). Classified within Retail Trade, the industry is positioned in a mature phase of its life cycle.
This report examines historical performance trends (2012-2025), competitive structure, geographic distribution, and provides a 5-year outlook (2026-2030) with growth drivers, risk factors, and industry-specific SWOT analysis.
Products & Services
Key service categories in the Used merchandise stores industry.
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Top Questions Answered
What is the market size of the Used merchandise stores industry?
The Used merchandise stores industry generated ~$19.6B in revenue (US Census Economic Census, 2022, on the NAICS 2017 definition (Census comparative statistics)). Full analysis available in report.
How fast is the Used merchandise stores industry growing?
The industry has followed a strong growth trajectory in recent years. Employment rose over 2019-2023, which indicates that the expansion extended to the workforce rather than showing up only in sales. Full analysis available in report.
What is the outlook for used merchandise retail?
The industry is projected to continue its growth trajectory, extending the direction of its historical performance. Full analysis available in report.
What does NAICS 45331 cover?
NAICS 45331 is defined by the Census Bureau (NAICS 2017) as follows: "This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in retailing used merchandise, antiques, and secondhand goods (except... Full analysis available in report.
How many used merchandise stores are there in the United States?
There were 19.5K establishments (Census CBP, 2023) employing 222.5K people (Census CBP, 2023). Full analysis available in report.
How competitive is the used merchandise stores industry?
The industry carries a Fragmented size label, which reflects the small average size of its establishments. Full analysis available in report.
Are wages in used merchandise stores keeping up with inflation?
Yes. Average weekly wages in the industry kept ahead of inflation over recent years, so pay held its purchasing power rather than eroding. Full analysis available in report.
Who are the major players in the used merchandise stores industry?
With 19.5K establishments (Census CBP, 2023) and a Fragmented size label, the industry is populated overwhelmingly by small and independent operators rather than a handful of dominant names. Full analysis available in report.
Get complete answers with detailed growth rates, forecasts, and competitive analysis.
Methodology
Every figure in this report is official US government data, computed in code and checked against the source by an automated validation pass. The text is drafted with AI, then read, reviewed and corrected where needed by a person. How we use AI
The Census Bureau's County Business Patterns and Economic Census provide establishment counts, employment, and payroll broken out by NAICS industry and geography. The Bureau of Labor Statistics QCEW program supplies wage data by industry. The Federal Reserve Economic Data (FRED) service contributes macroeconomic indicators used for industry forecasting — GDP, interest rates, housing starts, and sector-specific indices.
Data freshness varies by source: Census CBP has a ~2 year lag, BLS lags 6-9 months, and FRED provides near real-time macroeconomic data. Each report includes a data currency section showing exact year ranges.
Read our full methodology →Data Sources
Every chart, table, and claim in this report traces back to a published federal statistical database. Each data point in the PDF shows its source so you can verify it against the original dataset.
- U.S. Census Bureau — County Business Patterns & Economic Census
- Bureau of Labor Statistics — QCEW
- Federal Reserve Economic Data (FRED)
Report Details
Industry Classification (NAICS)
Where this industry sits in the North American Industry Classification System.
Classified on NAICS 2017. In NAICS 2022 this is part of 45951, “Used Merchandise Retailers”, which is broader.
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