In order to maximize sales, retail brands avoid pigeonholing when it comes to targeting customers. Although having an ideal customer persona helps with marketing and branding, the most successful brands do not narrowly limit themselves within the marketplace. This is one reason resale shops have been so successful. People who shop resale clothing stores cross demographic boundaries, creating a vast customer base. Uptown Cheapskate’s secondhand clothing franchise has taken advantage of this incredible opportunity within the industry. As resale shopping becomes more popular with a wider segment of the population, our stores are poised for even greater success!
Who’s shopping resale?
In the past, shopping secondhand was considered something that only low-budget consumers did. However, today’s marketplace is more accepting and encouraging of resale, especially in the clothing sector. As “thrifting” has become mainstream and crossed demographic lines, so has our concept.
Both women and men turn to resale clothing at Uptown Cheapskate. Although thrifting has traditionally been considered a female-focused activity, resale clothing is applicable to and appreciated by men across the nation. A return to prominence of vintage apparel and an ever-growing thirst for unique sneakers has made Uptown a go-to source for fashion-conscious men.
Resale’s popularity spans generations as well. It’s clear young buyers are leading the resale clothing trend. ThredUp’s 2024 Resale Report indicated Millennials and Gen Z are secondhand’s largest demographic, with 65% of people in these age groups surveyed having purchased secondhand apparel, footwear or accessories. But the report states 52% of all consumers have shopped secondhand clothing, indicating a growing interest within Gen X parents and even baby boomers. Parents, in particular Gen X and Millennials, are driving growth by turning to resale clothing for their children.
In addition, traditional income demographics for resale are changing. Thrifting was once correlated with low-income earners, but research indicates this is no longer true, as middle-income earners are also likely to shop secondhand, meaning there’s a large middle-class market for resale clothing.
It’s clear resale resonates with people from all socioeconomic backgrounds, and across genders and generations. Rather than asking “who” is shopping resale, the better question might be “Why?” One of the biggest factors for thrift shoppers is cost – finding numerous high-quality pieces for a fraction of the traditional retail price. However, there are many factors beyond financial. Today’s thrifters are increasingly focused on shopping sustainably while supporting small, local businesses instead of major retail conglomerates.
Uptown Cheapskate’s broad-reaching market
As a leading upscale resale franchise brand, Uptown Cheapskate has zeroed in on a subsection of the vast secondhand shopper’s market. Our trendy and chic stores resonate most with younger shoppers, particularly Millennials and Gen Zers, both male and female. We attract teens and young adults because of the modern, stylish clothing we carry, our upscale aesthetic mimicking that of a hip retail store found in malls, and the low impact we have on the environment.
The parents of our younger shoppers are also frequent customers, visiting our stores to purchase inexpensive clothing for their rapidly growing teens. We serve this market by providing a shopping experience that is organized and easy, with no apps or websites to scroll through, or bins and baskets to dig through.
By targeting these various consumer groups, Uptown Cheapskate enjoys a large customer base in territories across the country, positioning our franchise stores for long term growth and success.
Interested in launching your own resale clothing store? The Uptown Cheapskate franchise opportunity is perfect for passionate entrepreneurs with or without retail experience. Request information about our business model today and begin your journey toward franchise ownership.
