Consignment or Thrift Store

Consignment and thrift stores sell secondhand items, either accepting goods on consignment (paying sellers when items sell) or purchasing inventory outright.

Categories include clothing, furniture, children's items, vintage goods, or specialty items (sports equipment, musical instruments).

You lease retail space, establish consignment terms (typically 50/50 or 60/40 split), curate inventory accepting only quality items, price competitively, and serve budget-conscious and eco-friendly shoppers.

Success requires good buying/curation eye, efficient inventory management (tracking consignors and expiration dates), and creating pleasant shopping environment (not cluttered/dusty stereotype).

Consignment model requires less capital than traditional retail since you don't purchase inventory upfront, but software and systems for tracking consignors are essential.

Pricing strategy balances attractive prices for shoppers while fair splits for consignors.

Revenue varies dramatically by category - furniture consignment stores might generate $10,000-30,000 monthly while clothing shops $5,000-15,000.

Marketing emphasizes sustainability, unique finds, and treasure-hunt shopping experience.

Successful stores become regular destinations for both consignors (clearing closets) and shoppers (finding deals).

Challenges include consignor management, seasonal inventory fluctuations, and maintaining quality standards.