Why Thrift Store Prices are Going Up in 2026

If you’ve walked into a Goodwill, Value Village, or Savers recently and done a double-take when checking out prices, you’re not imagining things. Thrift store prices have been climbing over the past few years, and in 2026, it’s more obvious than ever. Social media is rife with complaints about prices doubling or tripling in the last five years.

So what’s going on? And more importantly, how can thrifters and resellers keep their costs down?

Why Prices Are Rising

There isn’t a single factor that’s driving up thrift store prices. Instead, several things are working together to push prices up to increasingly higher levels. Here are a few of the top issues:

1. Demand has exploded. More people are shopping at thrift stores than ever before, leading to higher competition for secondhand items. The American used clothing market grew 14% in 2024, which was five times more than the larger retail clothing market (source). Much of the growth is driven by younger shoppers, who often shop thrift stores before turning to regular retail.
2. Tariff policies. Changes to tariffs (and even the uncertainty around them) have made new clothing more expensive, driving even more shoppers to the secondhand market. ThredUp found that 59% of consumers would choose more affordable options (including secondhand) if tariffs make clothing more expensive.
3. Data-driven pricing. Gone are the days when thrift stores used simple pricing rules to keep prices low and secondhand goods affordable. Goodwill now uses computer-assisted pricing systems to calculate prices closer to market rate (source). Since Savers/Value Village went public in 2023, data-driven pricing has contributed to the organization earning record margins.
4. Online resale. Thrift stores can now easily see what comps are selling for on Poshmark, eBay, Depop, and elsewhere—and they are using that information. Not only are they pricing against online prices, but they’re pulling their best items from the regular thrift store floor entirely. As an example, Goodwill now operates Designer Boutique locations for curated brands, plus they have their own online auction site for premium items. The best items are simply no longer put out on thrift store floors.
5. Rising costs. Thrift stores are facing inflationary pressure and rising costs. Utility costs notably jumped in 2025 (source), and both rent and labor costs are up.

All of the above paints a pretty bleak picture for thrifters and resellers. The opportunities that existed a year ago are increasingly vanishing from the market.

How to Find Great Deals

Despite rising thrift store prices, there are still opportunities if you’re strategic about it. Here are some approaches to use in 2026.

1. Look beyond the chains. Church rummage sales, yard sales, estate sales, and independent thrift stores often offer better pricing than the big thrift chains. Many other sales and independent stores are staffed by volunteers who don’t research eBay sold prices or have budgets for advanced data-driven pricing systems. Estate sales often discount by 50% on the last day, and clothing is typically an afterthought.
2. Shop the bins. Outlet stores, commonly called “the bins”, remain one of the best values in thrifting. Items unsold after one or two months at regular stores often get sent to outlet locations, where they’re sold by weight. Check out our guide for getting the best deals from bins in The Complete Guide to Clothing Resale.
3. Sign up for loyalty programs. Take advantage of every sale, discount program, and coupon opportunity offered by your favorite thrift stores. Some offer donation coupons, discounts on your birthday, Seniors Days, color-tag events, and more. Use these to your advantage; get to stores early and maximize your discount opportunities. (It’s not uncommon for me to process thrift store purchases in three to five transactions so I can maximize discounts and coupon use.)
4. Master the timing. Find out when your local thrift stores have the best fresh inventory; typically it’s Monday and Tuesday mornings after weekend donations. Keep a calendar of discount days, and follow organizations on social media where they announce events. And always try to arrive when thrift stores open for the day.

Where Things Are Headed

The forces driving higher thrift store prices aren’t going away, and things are likely to get worse. Younger shoppers are going to keep turning to secondhand options. Tariffs are driving more consumers to thrift stores. Data-driven pricing is going to get more sophisticated with AI use and reduce the opportunity to find underpriced treasures. And publicly traded chains will keep facing pressure to maximize profits.

Thrift stores themselves are splitting into two groups. Chain stores are evolving into something closer to retail, with premium storefronts, dynamic pricing, online auctions, and price tags aligned with what comps are selling for on resale sites. The second group, comprising independent stores, church sales, outlets, and local community sales will be the genuinely affordable options.

Thrift stores are still worth it, but in 2026, being a smart thrifter matters more than ever.

For more tips on building a profitable clothing resale business, check out The Complete Guide to Clothing Resale.