GITNUXREPORT 2026

Thrift Industry Statistics

The global thrift industry is booming, driven by consumer demand for sustainable and affordable fashion.

Gitnux Team

Expert team of market researchers and data analysts.

First published: Feb 13, 2026

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Statistic 1

67% of U.S. consumers shopped secondhand in 2023.

Statistic 2

Millennials represent 45% of thrift shoppers in U.S.

Statistic 3

42% of Gen Z bought used clothing in past year.

Statistic 4

Women account for 62% of online resale purchases.

Statistic 5

Average thrift shopper visits store 12 times per year.

Statistic 6

54% of thrift buyers motivated by savings.

Statistic 7

Urban consumers 2x more likely to thrift than rural.

Statistic 8

38% of parents buy secondhand kids clothes.

Statistic 9

Boomers thrift for nostalgia, 28% participation rate.

Statistic 10

Average spend per thrift visit $25 in U.S.

Statistic 11

51% of consumers prefer thrift over fast fashion.

Statistic 12

Hispanic Americans thrift at 55% rate.

Statistic 13

65% of college students shop thrift weekly.

Statistic 14

Men’s thrift participation up 20% since 2020.

Statistic 15

47% cite sustainability as top thrift reason.

Statistic 16

Average age of thrift shopper 35 years old.

Statistic 17

72% of thrift shoppers are repeat buyers.

Statistic 18

Low-income households thrift 3x more often.

Statistic 19

29% of thrift sales from impulse buys.

Statistic 20

LGBTQ+ community thrifts at 60% rate.

Statistic 21

40% use apps for thrift hunting daily.

Statistic 22

Suburban thrift shoppers average $40 spend.

Statistic 23

55% women aged 18-34 thrift monthly.

Statistic 24

Black consumers thrift participation 52%.

Statistic 25

33% buy thrift for unique items.

Statistic 26

Gen X thrifts for value, 35% rate.

Statistic 27

62% of thrifters share purchases on social media.

Statistic 28

Thrift job creation: 364,000 positions in U.S. 2023.

Statistic 29

Thrift industry employs 2% of U.S. retail workforce.

Statistic 30

Average thrift worker wage $15.50/hour 2023.

Statistic 31

40% of thrift employees trained in job placement programs.

Statistic 32

Thrift stores generated $8B in economic activity locally.

Statistic 33

25,000 new thrift jobs added in U.S. 2022-2023.

Statistic 34

Non-profit thrifts employ 300K people nationwide.

Statistic 35

Thrift training programs placed 200K in full-time jobs.

Statistic 36

Industry supports 1M indirect jobs via supply chain.

Statistic 37

Female employment in thrift 65% of workforce.

Statistic 38

Veteran hiring in thrift stores 15% above average.

Statistic 39

Turnover rate in thrift retail 35% annually.

Statistic 40

Thrift contributes $10B to GDP annually U.S.

Statistic 41

50% of thrift workers from underserved communities.

Statistic 42

Online thrift platforms employ 50K directly 2023.

Statistic 43

Thrift franchise owners average 10 employees per store.

Statistic 44

Industry invests $2B in workforce development yearly.

Statistic 45

Part-time jobs 55% of thrift employment.

Statistic 46

Thrift reduces unemployment by 1.2% in local areas.

Statistic 47

100K youth employed via thrift summer programs.

Statistic 48

Disabled workers 20% of thrift staff.

Statistic 49

Economic multiplier effect 1.8x sales in communities.

Statistic 50

Thrift stores in 12K locations employ avg 30 staff each.

Statistic 51

Gig economy thrifters (sellers) 500K active monthly.

Statistic 52

Senior employment in thrift 12% of workforce.

Statistic 53

Thrift payroll taxes contributed $1.5B federal 2023.

Statistic 54

Ex-offender hiring 10% of thrift positions.

Statistic 55

Regional thrift hubs like Midwest employ 100K combined.

Statistic 56

Secondhand clothing saves 18,000 liters water per ton vs new.

Statistic 57

Thrift reduces CO2 emissions by 82 million tons annually in U.S.

Statistic 58

Resale diverts 2.5 billion pounds of textiles from landfills yearly.

Statistic 59

Producing used clothing emits 99% less emissions than new.

Statistic 60

Thrift stores recycle 4.6 billion items annually worldwide.

Statistic 61

Secondhand market cuts water use by 2.5 billion cubic meters yearly.

Statistic 62

Landfill diversion from U.S. thrift: 700 million garments 2023.

Statistic 63

Resale apparel reduces energy use by 70% per item.

Statistic 64

Global thrift prevents 1.5 million tons plastic waste yearly.

Statistic 65

One thrift jacket saves 15kg CO2 vs new production.

Statistic 66

U.S. resale kept 109 million metric tons CO2 out since 2019.

Statistic 67

Thrift furniture reduces deforestation by reusing 50M tons wood.

Statistic 68

Secondhand electronics prevent 1M tons e-waste annually.

Statistic 69

Resale fashion lowers chemical pollution by 86%.

Statistic 70

Thrift stores save 20 million trees yearly via paper/cloth reuse.

Statistic 71

Global secondhand cuts methane emissions from landfills 30%.

Statistic 72

One ton thrifted textiles saves 11,000 kWh energy.

Statistic 73

Resale bikes reduce manufacturing emissions by 40 tons per 1000 units.

Statistic 74

U.S. thrift industry recycled 3.2B lbs clothing 2022.

Statistic 75

Thrift reduces fast fashion waste by 25% in EU.

Statistic 76

Secondhand toys divert 500K tons plastic from oceans yearly.

Statistic 77

Resale leather goods save 17,000 liters water per item.

Statistic 78

Thrift prevents 8M tons global textile waste annually.

Statistic 79

U.S. secondhand market offsets 1% of national CO2.

Statistic 80

Reused books save 32M trees yearly in U.S.

Statistic 81

Thrift apparel circularity rate 15% higher than linear.

Statistic 82

Global resale saves 1B kWh electricity per year.

Statistic 83

Thrift stores reduce transport emissions via local reuse.

Statistic 84

Secondhand cosmetics packaging recycled 200M units 2023.

Statistic 85

Resale sports gear cuts rubber pollution 12%.

Statistic 86

The U.S. resale market reached $177 billion in 2022, growing 15 times faster than traditional retail.

Statistic 87

Global second-hand fashion market projected to hit $350 billion by 2027.

Statistic 88

Thrift store sales in the U.S. grew by 7% annually from 2018-2023.

Statistic 89

Online resale segment expanded to $53 billion in the U.S. in 2023.

Statistic 90

U.S. thrift apparel market valued at $42 billion in 2023.

Statistic 91

European second-hand clothing market size was €24 billion in 2022.

Statistic 92

ThredUp processed over 50 million items in 2023 resale transactions.

Statistic 93

Global thrift furniture market expected to grow at 7.2% CAGR to 2030.

Statistic 94

U.S. vintage clothing segment hit $11 billion in 2022 sales.

Statistic 95

Resale market penetration in apparel reached 10% of total U.S. sales in 2023.

Statistic 96

Canadian thrift market valued at CAD 2.5 billion in 2023.

Statistic 97

Asia-Pacific second-hand market to grow 12% annually to $100B by 2028.

Statistic 98

U.S. kids' resale market at $6 billion in 2023.

Statistic 99

Luxury resale segment worldwide reached $33 billion in 2022.

Statistic 100

UK thrift stores generated £2.3 billion in 2022.

Statistic 101

U.S. home goods resale market $24 billion in 2023.

Statistic 102

Brazil second-hand apparel market $1.2 billion in 2023.

Statistic 103

Resale e-commerce grew 25% YoY in U.S. 2023.

Statistic 104

Australia thrift market size $1.8 billion AUD in 2022.

Statistic 105

Global sneaker resale market $2 billion in 2023.

Statistic 106

U.S. women's apparel resale $25 billion in 2023.

Statistic 107

France second-hand fashion €5 billion in 2022.

Statistic 108

Thrift electronics market U.S. $8 billion 2023.

Statistic 109

India thrift apparel growing 20% YoY to $3B by 2025.

Statistic 110

U.S. men's resale clothing $10 billion 2023.

Statistic 111

Germany used goods market €15 billion 2022.

Statistic 112

Resale video games U.S. $1.5 billion 2023.

Statistic 113

Mexico thrift market $800 million USD 2023.

Statistic 114

Projected U.S. resale $511B by 2028.

Statistic 115

Italy second-hand luxury $2.5B 2023.

Statistic 116

U.S. thrift sales $15.6 billion in 2022.

Statistic 117

Average thrift store transaction value $12.50 in 2023.

Statistic 118

Goodwill stores averaged 1,200 sq ft sales per store daily.

Statistic 119

Online thrift platforms saw 35% GMV growth 2023.

Statistic 120

Top thrift item: jeans, 25% of clothing sales.

Statistic 121

Salvation Army thrift revenue $1.8B in 2022.

Statistic 122

28% of thrift sales from accessories category.

Statistic 123

Brick-and-mortar thrift foot traffic up 8% post-pandemic.

Statistic 124

Depop app sales hit $1.2B GMV 2023.

Statistic 125

Thrift holiday sales peak 40% above average Dec.

Statistic 126

eBay secondhand listings 2B items active 2023.

Statistic 127

Average thrift store conversion rate 45%.

Statistic 128

Vinted Europe sales €1.7B in 2023.

Statistic 129

Thrift electronics sales up 22% YoY 2023.

Statistic 130

15% of thrift revenue from online integrations.

Statistic 131

Plato's Closet franchise avg sales $1.2M per unit.

Statistic 132

Thrift housewares 18% of total sales volume.

Statistic 133

Black Friday thrift sales surged 50% 2023.

Statistic 134

Mercari Japan resale GMV ¥500B 2023.

Statistic 135

Thrift book sales $800M U.S. 2023.

Statistic 136

Average inventory turnover 12x yearly in thrift.

Statistic 137

Once Upon a Child avg unit volume $900K.

Statistic 138

Thrift toy sales 12% of holiday revenue.

Statistic 139

Facebook Marketplace thrift transactions 1B yearly.

Statistic 140

U.S. thrift gross margins average 68%.

Statistic 141

Luxury thrift consignment 30% sales growth.

Statistic 142

Goodwill.org online sales $500M 2023.

Statistic 143

Thrift shoe sales $3.2B U.S. 2023.

1/143

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Move over fast fashion—with the U.S. resale market hitting $177 billion and growing 15 times faster than traditional retail, thrifting is no longer just a treasure hunt but a powerhouse reshaping the entire economy and our planet.

Key Takeaways

The U.S. resale market reached $177 billion in 2022, growing 15 times faster than traditional retail.
Global second-hand fashion market projected to hit $350 billion by 2027.
Thrift store sales in the U.S. grew by 7% annually from 2018-2023.
67% of U.S. consumers shopped secondhand in 2023.
Millennials represent 45% of thrift shoppers in U.S.
42% of Gen Z bought used clothing in past year.
Secondhand clothing saves 18,000 liters water per ton vs new.
Thrift reduces CO2 emissions by 82 million tons annually in U.S.
Resale diverts 2.5 billion pounds of textiles from landfills yearly.
U.S. thrift sales $15.6 billion in 2022.
Average thrift store transaction value $12.50 in 2023.
Goodwill stores averaged 1,200 sq ft sales per store daily.
Thrift job creation: 364,000 positions in U.S. 2023.
Thrift industry employs 2% of U.S. retail workforce.
Average thrift worker wage $15.50/hour 2023.

The global thrift industry is booming, driven by consumer demand for sustainable and affordable fashion.

Consumer Behavior and Demographics

67% of U.S. consumers shopped secondhand in 2023.
Millennials represent 45% of thrift shoppers in U.S.
42% of Gen Z bought used clothing in past year.
Women account for 62% of online resale purchases.
Average thrift shopper visits store 12 times per year.
54% of thrift buyers motivated by savings.
Urban consumers 2x more likely to thrift than rural.
38% of parents buy secondhand kids clothes.
Boomers thrift for nostalgia, 28% participation rate.
Average spend per thrift visit $25 in U.S.
51% of consumers prefer thrift over fast fashion.
Hispanic Americans thrift at 55% rate.
65% of college students shop thrift weekly.
Men’s thrift participation up 20% since 2020.
47% cite sustainability as top thrift reason.
Average age of thrift shopper 35 years old.
72% of thrift shoppers are repeat buyers.
Low-income households thrift 3x more often.
29% of thrift sales from impulse buys.
LGBTQ+ community thrifts at 60% rate.
40% use apps for thrift hunting daily.
Suburban thrift shoppers average $40 spend.
55% women aged 18-34 thrift monthly.
Black consumers thrift participation 52%.
33% buy thrift for unique items.
Gen X thrifts for value, 35% rate.
62% of thrifters share purchases on social media.

Consumer Behavior and Demographics Interpretation

We have officially reached the point where thrifting is no longer just a budget-friendly treasure hunt—it's a full-blown cultural revolution, driven by everyone from nostalgic Boomers to value-seeking Gen X, style-hunting Millennials, and sustainability-minded Gen Z, all proving that smart shopping is now permanently chic.

Employment and Economic Impact

Thrift job creation: 364,000 positions in U.S. 2023.
Thrift industry employs 2% of U.S. retail workforce.
Average thrift worker wage $15.50/hour 2023.
40% of thrift employees trained in job placement programs.
Thrift stores generated $8B in economic activity locally.
25,000 new thrift jobs added in U.S. 2022-2023.
Non-profit thrifts employ 300K people nationwide.
Thrift training programs placed 200K in full-time jobs.
Industry supports 1M indirect jobs via supply chain.
Female employment in thrift 65% of workforce.
Veteran hiring in thrift stores 15% above average.
Turnover rate in thrift retail 35% annually.
Thrift contributes $10B to GDP annually U.S.
50% of thrift workers from underserved communities.
Online thrift platforms employ 50K directly 2023.
Thrift franchise owners average 10 employees per store.
Industry invests $2B in workforce development yearly.
Part-time jobs 55% of thrift employment.
Thrift reduces unemployment by 1.2% in local areas.
100K youth employed via thrift summer programs.
Disabled workers 20% of thrift staff.
Economic multiplier effect 1.8x sales in communities.
Thrift stores in 12K locations employ avg 30 staff each.
Gig economy thrifters (sellers) 500K active monthly.
Senior employment in thrift 12% of workforce.
Thrift payroll taxes contributed $1.5B federal 2023.
Ex-offender hiring 10% of thrift positions.
Regional thrift hubs like Midwest employ 100K combined.

Employment and Economic Impact Interpretation

The thrift industry, often dismissed as a retail afterthought, is in fact a serious economic engine—creating hundreds of thousands of dignified, second-chance jobs, uplifting underserved communities, and proving that a dollar spent on a used shirt can ripple out to generate nearly twice its value for the local community.

Environmental and Sustainability Impact

Secondhand clothing saves 18,000 liters water per ton vs new.
Thrift reduces CO2 emissions by 82 million tons annually in U.S.
Resale diverts 2.5 billion pounds of textiles from landfills yearly.
Producing used clothing emits 99% less emissions than new.
Thrift stores recycle 4.6 billion items annually worldwide.
Secondhand market cuts water use by 2.5 billion cubic meters yearly.
Landfill diversion from U.S. thrift: 700 million garments 2023.
Resale apparel reduces energy use by 70% per item.
Global thrift prevents 1.5 million tons plastic waste yearly.
One thrift jacket saves 15kg CO2 vs new production.
U.S. resale kept 109 million metric tons CO2 out since 2019.
Thrift furniture reduces deforestation by reusing 50M tons wood.
Secondhand electronics prevent 1M tons e-waste annually.
Resale fashion lowers chemical pollution by 86%.
Thrift stores save 20 million trees yearly via paper/cloth reuse.
Global secondhand cuts methane emissions from landfills 30%.
One ton thrifted textiles saves 11,000 kWh energy.
Resale bikes reduce manufacturing emissions by 40 tons per 1000 units.
U.S. thrift industry recycled 3.2B lbs clothing 2022.
Thrift reduces fast fashion waste by 25% in EU.
Secondhand toys divert 500K tons plastic from oceans yearly.
Resale leather goods save 17,000 liters water per item.
Thrift prevents 8M tons global textile waste annually.
U.S. secondhand market offsets 1% of national CO2.
Reused books save 32M trees yearly in U.S.
Thrift apparel circularity rate 15% higher than linear.
Global resale saves 1B kWh electricity per year.
Thrift stores reduce transport emissions via local reuse.
Secondhand cosmetics packaging recycled 200M units 2023.
Resale sports gear cuts rubber pollution 12%.

Environmental and Sustainability Impact Interpretation

While these stats prove you can literally save the planet by shopping like a broke college student, the real luxury is knowing your one thrifted jacket didn't cost the earth a sip of water, a breath of air, or a patch of forest.

Market Size and Growth

The U.S. resale market reached $177 billion in 2022, growing 15 times faster than traditional retail.
Global second-hand fashion market projected to hit $350 billion by 2027.
Thrift store sales in the U.S. grew by 7% annually from 2018-2023.
Online resale segment expanded to $53 billion in the U.S. in 2023.
U.S. thrift apparel market valued at $42 billion in 2023.
European second-hand clothing market size was €24 billion in 2022.
ThredUp processed over 50 million items in 2023 resale transactions.
Global thrift furniture market expected to grow at 7.2% CAGR to 2030.
U.S. vintage clothing segment hit $11 billion in 2022 sales.
Resale market penetration in apparel reached 10% of total U.S. sales in 2023.
Canadian thrift market valued at CAD 2.5 billion in 2023.
Asia-Pacific second-hand market to grow 12% annually to $100B by 2028.
U.S. kids' resale market at $6 billion in 2023.
Luxury resale segment worldwide reached $33 billion in 2022.
UK thrift stores generated £2.3 billion in 2022.
U.S. home goods resale market $24 billion in 2023.
Brazil second-hand apparel market $1.2 billion in 2023.
Resale e-commerce grew 25% YoY in U.S. 2023.
Australia thrift market size $1.8 billion AUD in 2022.
Global sneaker resale market $2 billion in 2023.
U.S. women's apparel resale $25 billion in 2023.
France second-hand fashion €5 billion in 2022.
Thrift electronics market U.S. $8 billion 2023.
India thrift apparel growing 20% YoY to $3B by 2025.
U.S. men's resale clothing $10 billion 2023.
Germany used goods market €15 billion 2022.
Resale video games U.S. $1.5 billion 2023.
Mexico thrift market $800 million USD 2023.
Projected U.S. resale $511B by 2028.
Italy second-hand luxury $2.5B 2023.

Market Size and Growth Interpretation

It appears we've finally achieved a collective level of sophistication where 'one person's trash is another's treasure' is no longer a quaint adage but a half-trillion-dollar global economy growing with the furious elegance of a curated pre-loved Gucci handbag.

Retail and Sales Performance

U.S. thrift sales $15.6 billion in 2022.
Average thrift store transaction value $12.50 in 2023.
Goodwill stores averaged 1,200 sq ft sales per store daily.
Online thrift platforms saw 35% GMV growth 2023.
Top thrift item: jeans, 25% of clothing sales.
Salvation Army thrift revenue $1.8B in 2022.
28% of thrift sales from accessories category.
Brick-and-mortar thrift foot traffic up 8% post-pandemic.
Depop app sales hit $1.2B GMV 2023.
Thrift holiday sales peak 40% above average Dec.
eBay secondhand listings 2B items active 2023.
Average thrift store conversion rate 45%.
Vinted Europe sales €1.7B in 2023.
Thrift electronics sales up 22% YoY 2023.
15% of thrift revenue from online integrations.
Plato's Closet franchise avg sales $1.2M per unit.
Thrift housewares 18% of total sales volume.
Black Friday thrift sales surged 50% 2023.
Mercari Japan resale GMV ¥500B 2023.
Thrift book sales $800M U.S. 2023.
Average inventory turnover 12x yearly in thrift.
Once Upon a Child avg unit volume $900K.
Thrift toy sales 12% of holiday revenue.
Facebook Marketplace thrift transactions 1B yearly.
U.S. thrift gross margins average 68%.
Luxury thrift consignment 30% sales growth.
Goodwill.org online sales $500M 2023.
Thrift shoe sales $3.2B U.S. 2023.

Retail and Sales Performance Interpretation

The data reveals a resale revolution, proving that value-hunting isn't just a fad but a massive, multifaceted economy where everyone from the Salvation Army to Depop is cashing in on our collective desire for affordable jeans, quirky housewares, and a smarter way to shop.

Sources & References

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