What to do with that hardly worn coat that no longer fits or that stack of board games collecting dust on the shelf?
Need a wardrobe refresh but the budget can’t abide? Maybe you’re in the market for some kitschy accessories to jazz up your look?
Or perhaps you just want to help a good cause.
Wherever you are in the cycle of consumer goods — buyer, seller, profiteer, downsizer — the growing resale shopping market is here for you.
Last year, the secondhand market in the United States was estimated to be worth $50 billion, up 30% over 2023, according to capitaloneshopping.com/research/thrifting-statistics.
Indeed, around the world, secondhand shopping is expected to grow 9% annually, reaching $74 billion by 2029, according to Thred-Up.com.
Growing popularity and availability of items through resale, vintage and online shops is fueling an increasingly popular way for consumers to buy, trade and donate goods — all while enabling consumers to stretch their budgets and avoid landfills.
It’s a win-win for consumers and, in some cases, charities, which benefit from some nonprofit secondhand stores.
Shopping for a cause is a growing subset of the resale market.
At Neat Repeats in Worth and Orland Park (crisisctr.org/neat-repeats), each purchase translates into support for victims of domestic violence.
When a patron buys a sweater, a pair of shoes or a gently used purse, the shopper gets a bargain and someone in a desperate, dangerous situation gets the help they need.
The Crisis Center for South Suburbia has been providing housing, counseling, prevention and advocacy services to the south suburban community for more than 45 years.
In 1986, Neat Repeats opened as a way to generate funding for the center. All of the shops’ proceeds go to the shelter to help victims with housing, court costs and other expenses.
The shops accept men’s, women’s and children’s clothing as well as accessories, household items and shoes. Items that are not up to the shop’s standards get recycled, according to Neat Repeats’ Regional Director Doreen Holford, which brings in even more money.
“We’re not throwing things into the garbage,” she said. “Everyone who donates is helping us help others, which is our main focus.”
The resale boutiques are so popular they maintain a steady corps of 200 volunteers and are looking to open a third location in the Frankfort area, Holford said.
Shoppers, she said, support the cause by stopping in regularly, donating smartly and even naming Neat Repeats in their wills.
“Everyone who donates is helping us help others, which is our main focus,” she said.
At Serendipity Resale in Aurora (www.littlefriendsinc.org/about/support/serendipity-resale-shop), Carol Davito is seeing “a lot of younger adults looking for vintage and resale.”
“It’s not just the stuff,” she said, “They like the concept of shopping to repurpose.”
Younger patrons get particularly excited over vintage finds, she said, recalling one woman who purchased several sets of vintage clip earrings to give as Christmas presents to her friends, she said.
Serendipity benefits Warrenville-based Little Friends, a regional organization that supports people with autism, intellectual, emotional and physical disabilities.
The shop accepts linens, small household items, clothing, shoes and accessories.
“We get a lot of clothing with price tags still attached,” Davito said. “What we don’t need we donate to wayside missions. Nothing goes to waste.”
Pennywise Resale Shoppe in Naperville (www.pennywiseshoppe.org) opened in 1966 as a ministry of St. John Episcopal Church.
Store manager Jenny Lund said, “We have an outreach committee that vets agencies.”
Proceeds benefit local, regional and international organizations.
“Some (groups) we’ve supported for many years,” Lund said. “Some are one-time donations. Some causes have been recommended by church members.”
Among the longstanding beneficiaries is The Boulevard, an organization that supports homeless people.
Proceeds from the shop also support Loaves and Fishes, the Naperville Chaplains Association and other parishes in their effort to help with disaster relief, such as Hurricane Katrina and the Maui fires.
Like many cause-driven resale shops, Pennywise can’t accommodate big items, such as furniture and appliances. And like many other secondhand stores, it is seeing a steady increase in customers.
“Thrift is huge,” Lund said.
Beyond the economic benefits, she said, “People, particularly younger people, think it’s fun. It used to be just older people thrifting, now it’s all generations,” she said.
She keeps that in mind when stocking shelves, she said.
“It has to be interesting, kitschy,” she said.
And donors, too, are becoming savvy, timing their drop-offs to match the season or trends.
“Over the 12 years I’ve been here, I’ve seen an evolution in donations. You’re always going to get the leftovers when someone passes or finishes a garage sale, but I’m also seeing donors who intentionally know what will sell and provide success for our ministry,” she said.
“One woman donates gift wrapping supplies in small packages, ready to sell. She brings it in right before a holiday,” Lund said. “She gives us Christmas in October, instead of leftovers in February.”
Note to shoppers and donors: Cause-driven resale shops are located across the Chicago area. Check websites for specific times and dates to browse or drop off items.
Donna Vickroy is an award-winning reporter, editor and columnist who worked for the Daily Southtown for 38 years. She can be reached at donnavickroy4@gmail.com.