The $49 Billion Clothing Resale Industry Is Booming
High-Growth & Recession-Resilient
The apparel industry is undergoing a tectonic shift as consumers gravitate towards secondhand shopping. Within apparel, the resale space has nearly doubled to $49 billion over the past five years and shows now signs of slowing down. Resale is also recession-resistant, with growth historically accelerating during economic downturns.
An Accelerating Shift To Resale
- The U.S. secondhand apparel market is forecasted to grow to $79BN by 2029
- Resale has grown 5x faster than the overall apparel sector & typically thrives in challenging economic conditions
- Thrifting is especially popular with Millennials and Gen Z consumers
- Shopping resale helps conserve resources and supports the environment
“The secondhand clothing industry is exploding right now. We’re seeing a tremendous rise in the popularity of resale shopping, which has translated into strong growth in both customer traffic and profitability for our stores.”
- Tyler Gordon
Co-CEO of BaseCamp Franchising
“The secondhand clothing industry is exploding right now. We’re seeing a tremendous rise in the popularity of resale shopping, which has translated into strong growth in both customer traffic and profitability for our stores.”
- Tyler Gordon
Co-CEO
Recession Resilience
Historically, economic turmoil hasn’t slowed momentum in resale. If anything, the value proposition of thrift comes even more into focus during recessionary periods as consumers look to stretch their budgets. Whether the sun is shining or there are dark clouds on the horizon, resale grows in any weather.
Sustainability That’s More Than Window Dressing
Today more than ever, consumers are paying close attention to how their purchases impact the environment. This dynamic is especially true of younger generations, who are also the most passionate about thrifting.
U.S. consumers purchase about $300BN in apparel every year, much of which ends up in landfills. At Uptown, our ecosystem allows millions of gently-used items to have a second or third life. In 2024 alone, Uptown Cheapskate and its sister brand Kid to Kid recycled over 25 million items.
Zach Gordon
Co-CEO
Is Clothing Resale Right For Me?
Our franchisees come from a diverse set of backgrounds and many have no prior retail experience. The most important ingredients for success at Uptown are hard work, organization, and the ability to lead a team in a fast-paced environment. If you feel like owning an Uptown might fit with your long-term goals, reach out to our team to learn more!