Second-hand shop explained

A second-hand shop is a shop which sells used goods. Secondhand shops are often part of the different parts of the reuse or Circular economy. Different formats of second-hand shop exist, selling in different formats and type of content: from antique stores, to consignment, and various types of thrift or charity shop, where the used goods are sold.

The format of selling second hand goods in a shop, is not ubiquitous: the cost of operating a physical location alongside the need to handle large inventory, sometimes means that resellers opt for temporary venues like Flea market, garage sales or temporary pop-up type sales.

Some goods have always had a vibrant second hand market that allow for the creation of permanent venues, such as antiques and books. With the advent of social movements focused on reuses in the 21st century, such as the sustainable fashion movement, other goods have become more economical for specialized stores focused on their resale.

By format

Thrift or charity shops

By good type

Books

Notable businesses

• Goodwill Industries - Runs Goodwill Stores throughout North America as well as 16 other countries.
• The Salvation Army - Christian-based thrift store operator that sells second-hand items.
• Oxfam bookshops - second-hand bookstore in the U.K.
• Value Village - second-hand shops in the U.S.
• Hard Off - second-hand shop chain in Japan

Other venues for second-hand resale

Websites that facilitate second-hand resale

• eBay - Website that allows people or retailers to sell new or used products.
• Craigslist - Website that allows people or retailers to sell or give away goods and services, primarily targeted to the local community.
• Kijiji - Similar to Craigslist, but popular in Canada.
• Xianyu - Chinese app that allows people or retailers to sell new or used products.
• Her-Age - Resale marketplace leader in Italy

Temporary venues

People will sell used goods right in front of their home in what is called a "garage sale". The products would be set up in front of the garage.

In the UK, people buy and sell at a car boot sale. Sellers will drive their vehicles to a large field, laden with products both used and new, and sell out of their boot.

Similarly regular Flea markets generate

See also

• Car dealership - new car dealers in certain countries offer pre-owned cars with variable quality and price. There are also dealers who sell only used cars.
• Resale boutique - specializes in contemporary high-end used designer fashion, vintage clothing, or contemporary basics
• Surplus store - often sells military surplus supplies.
• Wrecking yard, scrapyard, wrecking yard - sells used automotive parts