Used Merchandise Stores Revenue Benchmarks
The average used merchandise stores business in the United States generates $2.5M in annual revenue, according to the U.S. Census Bureau Statistics of U.S. Businesses (SUSB 2021). There are 12,482 used merchandise stores businesses in the U.S., employing 189,892 workers with an average profit margin of 4.0%.
What Does a Used Merchandise Stores Business Actually Do?
Thrift stores (Goodwill, Salvation Army), consignment shops, buy/sell/trade stores (Buffalo Exchange). Wide range of pricing/margin models.
Who buys: Value shoppers, treasure hunters, sustainability-focused buyers, low-income households.
Average Revenue
$2.5M
per year
Profit Margin
4.0%
industry average
Revenue / Employee
$165K
per year
Total Businesses
12,482
in the US
Est. Owner Income
$100K
small business avg
Labor Cost
14.0%
of revenue
Avg Employee Wage
N/A
per year (BLS)
Market Saturation
3.8
firms per 100K people
How Much Do Used Merchandise Stores Charge?
Thrift / consignment / used stores earn 50–200% markup depending on model (donations vs consignment vs cash).
| Service | Typical range |
|---|---|
Thrift store markup (donated goods) | unlimited — cost is near-zero |
Consignment split (typical) | 40–60% to store |
Cash-buy resale | 100–300% over paid price |
Ranges based on industry rate surveys and typical published pricing. Actual quotes vary by city, business size, and job complexity.
Complete used merchandise stores business plan
A 12-section data-backed business plan for a used merchandise stores business — executive summary, market analysis, competitive landscape, revenue model, 3-year financial projections, operations, marketing, staffing, funding request. Pre-populated with real Census, IRS, and BLS data on this industry. Free to view.
Cost Structure — Where Every $100 in Revenue Goes
Approximate P&L breakdown for the used merchandise stores industry. Labor share and net profit are grounded in Census SUSB and IRS SOI data. Other lines are split using sector-typical ratios.
| Category | Per $100 revenue | Per typical business | What's in it |
|---|---|---|---|
Cost of goods sold | $61 | $1.5M | Wholesale cost of merchandise purchased for resale. Retail's biggest expense. |
Wages & benefits | $14 | $351K | Payroll for all employees at the business (owner comp not included for small owner-operators). |
Rent & facilities | $8 | $205K | Rent or mortgage on business location plus utilities tied to the space. |
Marketing & advertising | $4 | $103K | Google/Meta ads, SEO, print, referral fees, event sponsorships. |
Other operating costs | $8 | $205K | Utilities, POS fees, shrinkage, insurance, store maintenance. |
Net profit | $4 | $100K | What remains for the owner or shareholders after all business expenses. |
Directionally accurate for a typical business in the industry. Individual businesses vary widely — a franchise may run a very different cost mix from an independent, and older established businesses often have lower labor share than newer ones.
Average Revenue by Business Size
Industry Dynamics (Census BDS 2023)
New Business Rate
8.57%
openings/year
Closure Rate
7.15%
closings/year
Net Job Growth
+6.09%
annual
Businesses Closed
1,042
in 2023
Firm Count Trend
Should You Start a Used Merchandise Stores Business?
Startup Cost
$75K – $400K
Break-Even
28 months
5-Year Survival Rate
48.0%
Related Industries
Frequently Asked Questions
- What does a used merchandise stores business do?
- Thrift stores (Goodwill, Salvation Army), consignment shops, buy/sell/trade stores (Buffalo Exchange). Wide range of pricing/margin models. Value shoppers, treasure hunters, sustainability-focused buyers, low-income households.
- How much do used merchandise stores charge?
- Thrift / consignment / used stores earn 50–200% markup depending on model (donations vs consignment vs cash). See the pricing table above for typical rates by service type.
- How much does the average used merchandise stores make per year?
- The average used merchandise stores business generates $2.5M in annual revenue, based on U.S. Census Bureau data (SUSB 2021). After expenses, the estimated owner profit is $100K per year at a 4.0% profit margin.
- How many used merchandise stores businesses are there in the US?
- There are 12,482 used merchandise stores businesses operating in the United States, employing a total of 189,892 workers.
- How much does it cost to start a used merchandise stores business?
- Startup costs for a used merchandise stores business typically range from $75K to $400K, with a 5-year survival rate of 48.0%.
Industry Growth & Survival
The used merchandise stores industry is actively growing — adding jobs at a net rate of 6.1% per year. New establishments are opening faster than existing ones close (8.6% entry vs 7.2% exit), indicating healthy demand.
Approximately 69% of used merchandise stores businesses survive their first 5 years. This is above the national average (~50%), making it a relatively safe industry to enter. In 2023, 1,042 firms in this industry closed permanently.
Industry Trend (2000–2023)
The used merchandise stores industry has declined 7% since 2000 (from 12,681 to 11,785 firms).
See full historical statistics →Compare Used Merchandise Stores revenue with other industries: