Used merchandise stores — US Industry Report
The used merchandise stores industry in the United States generated an estimated ~$18.7B in annual revenue across 19.5K establishments employing 222.5K workers (Census Bureau). This 25-page report analyzes industry performance, competitive dynamics, and delivers 5-year growth forecasts.
Industry Snapshot
- ▸Purchasing power erosion has redirected consumer traffic toward secondhand retail channels
- ▸Payroll expansion significantly outpacing job creation in the used merchandise sector
- ▸Fragmented retail landscape concentrates substantial payroll across numerous independent establishments
- ▸Secondhand consumption has transitioned from cyclical behavior to sustained demand pattern
Table of Contents
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.
Historical performance analysis covering establishments, employment, and payroll (2017-2025). 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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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Download a free sample report →Industry Analysis
The Used merchandise stores industry (NAICS 45331) encompasses 19.5K establishments in the United States employing 222.5K workers, generating an estimated ~$18.7B 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 (2017-2025), 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 ~$14.9B in revenue (US Census Economic Census, 2017). Full analysis available in report.
How fast is the Used merchandise stores industry growing?
The Used merchandise stores industry has posted strong growth over the measured period, meaningfully outpacing the broader U.S. retail economy. Full analysis available in report.
What does NAICS 45331 (Used merchandise stores) include?
NAICS 45331 covers establishments primarily engaged in the retail sale of used or secondhand merchandise, antiques, and used books. Full analysis available in report.
How many used merchandise stores operate in the U.S.?
As of 2023, approximately 19,500 establishments operate within the Used merchandise stores industry, employing roughly 222,500 workers (Census CBP, 2023) nationwide. Full analysis available in report.
How competitive is the used merchandise stores market?
The used merchandise stores market is intensely competitive and notably fragmented, with low capital barriers to entry enabling a constant churn of new independent operators entering local markets. Full analysis available in report.
What is the outlook for the Used merchandise stores industry?
The Used merchandise stores industry is projected to continue its growth trajectory over the coming years, supported by structural tailwinds that show little sign of reversing. Full analysis available in report.
How does compensation in the used merchandise stores industry compare to other retail sectors?
Compensation within used merchandise stores tends to skew toward the lower end of the retail wage spectrum, consistent with the industry's prevalence of part-time roles, high volunteer or... Full analysis available in report.
What types of companies operate in the used merchandise stores industry?
The industry encompasses a broad mix of operator types, ranging from national nonprofit thrift chains and for-profit multi-location resellers to regional consignment boutiques and single-location... Full analysis available in report.
Get complete answers with detailed growth rates, forecasts, and competitive analysis.
Methodology
This report is produced using AI-assisted analysis of official US government data sources. Our methodology combines automated data collection from federal statistical databases with AI-assisted synthesis and validation. Every numerical claim undergoes a validation pass against source data.
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 and OES programs supply quarterly wages, employment by occupation, and detailed labor cost data. 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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