Reselling used clothes can be profitable in the suburbs! Tips for finding bargains and buying successfully that even beginners can do

Reselling used clothing is a very easy side business to start. Suburban used clothing stores in particular have many hidden gems that you won't find in urban areas, and the purchase price is also low, making it easy to aim for high profits. For those who are looking for a side job, this is the perfect option to aim for a stable income while keeping initial investment low.

In this article, we will carefully explain how to make money by using suburban second-hand clothing stores , tips on purchasing goods, and points to consider when selecting products . After reading this article, even beginners will be able to take on the challenge of reselling second-hand clothes with confidence.

 

Why reselling used clothing is a great side hustle

Reselling used clothing is a low-risk, high-return business that is attracting a lot of attention, especially from those looking for a side job.

The first stumbling point for many people hoping to start a side job is a lack of "funds" and "knowledge." However, secondhand clothing reselling is easy to start with a small amount of capital, and the operational risks are relatively low , so even beginners can get started with confidence. In addition, the recent secondhand clothing boom has stabilized demand in the market, and the prospect of continuous income is also appealing. Here, we will explain the reasons why secondhand clothing reselling is suitable as a side job from three perspectives.

You can start with little capital

The biggest advantage of reselling used clothing is that it requires little initial investment . At second-hand shops and thrift stores, it is not uncommon to be able to purchase an item for just a few hundred yen. In particular, prices are set cheaply at stores in suburban areas, so in some cases it is possible to purchase 10 or more items for less than 10,000 yen .

In addition, excluding the platform listing fee, operating costs are also very low. Many people find it difficult to prepare a lump sum of capital when starting a side business, but reselling used clothing can greatly reduce that worry.

Easy inventory management and low risk

Used clothing has a low unit price and requires minimal storage space , so there is little inventory risk. For example, compared to reselling books or home appliances, they are lighter in size and easier to store, so there is less worry about inventory taking up space in your room.

In addition, even if sales are poor, you can easily increase turnover by adjusting the price, and even if some items remain unsold, the risk is minimized. The structure makes it difficult to incur losses and easy to secure profits , so even beginners in reselling can operate it without difficulty.

High demand and stable profits

Due to the recent trend of secondhand clothing and growing environmental awareness, the secondhand clothing market has been expanding year by year . In particular, there has been a re-evaluation of vintage items and 90s fashion, and a certain level of demand continues to exist, which is a strength of the secondhand clothing market.

In addition, it is supported by a wide range of target customers, from young people to housewives , and if you sell standard products that are not easily affected by seasons or trends, you can expect stable sales. There are also many marketplaces and sales channels are expanding, so if you get the hang of it, it can be said to be a side job that can bring in continuous income.

Why suburban second-hand clothing stores are worth checking out

If you want to make a steady income by reselling used clothes, you should focus on the suburbs rather than urban areas.

Compared to urban areas, suburban second-hand clothing stores have lower prices, a wider selection of items, and fewer competitors, so you're more likely to find a bargain . Popular stores in cities have fierce competition and higher purchasing costs, but in the suburbs you can often find unexpected treasures at bargain prices. In this section, we'll explain three reasons why suburban second-hand clothing stores are the best place to source used clothing for resale.

Prices are lower than in urban areas

Second-hand clothing stores in the suburbs tend to have much lower purchase prices than those in urban areas . The reason for this is that operating costs such as labor and rent are lower in the suburbs, so stores can set product prices lower.

In particular, even major chains such as Second Street and Off House have price variations depending on the store, so the same item can be purchased for several hundred to several thousand yen cheaper in the suburbs . The lower the purchase cost, the higher the profit margin when reselling, so purchasing in the suburbs is very efficient.

Less competition means it's easier to find bargains

In urban areas, many people purchase goods for the purpose of reselling, and good products tend to sell quickly. On the other hand, in suburban areas, there is less competition, and there is the advantage that you don't have to worry so much about the timing of your purchases .

In addition, small, locally-based second-hand clothing stores do not post much information on social media, so there are often bargains left untouched by other buyers . It's a "only those in the know" situation, so it's definitely worth a visit.

The store is spacious and has a wide range of products

Suburban stores often utilize their large floor space to display a large amount of products , so the more you look, the more chances you have of finding a treasure. In urban stores, space is limited, so they may only stock high-turnover products, but in suburban areas, you will also find many long-tail items.

Another big advantage is that you can wander around the spacious store at your leisure, so you can take your time examining the products without being rushed by other shoppers or buyers . If you value both quantity and quality, suburban second-hand clothing stores are definitely recommended.

Specific ways to find bargains

There are many bargains to be found in suburban second-hand clothing stores, but it's difficult to make a profit by just browsing.

To be successful in reselling used clothing, you need to develop an eye for discerning the condition and value of items and gather information efficiently . In particular, reading product labels, taking advantage of sales, and building trusting relationships with store clerks are key points that beginners can use to make a big difference. Here are three specific methods you can try to increase your chances of finding a bargain.

Check the product condition and brand tag

The basis of purchasing is to acquire the ability to "discern valuable products." To do so, it is essential to first check the condition of the product and the brand tag .
 The main points to check are:

Check items	Content details
Condition of the fabric	Are there any stains, dirt, pilling, or stretching?
Sewing quality	Are there any loose threads or crooked seams?
Brand Tag	Popular brands, discontinued models, and country of manufacture
Washing instructions	100% cotton, made in Japan, etc. are used as a criterion for determining rarity

In particular, brand tags often contain information such as the year, series name, and country of manufacture, which can help you determine whether an item is vintage or not . Also, if the item is in good condition, you can set a higher selling price.

Take advantage of sales and events

To get bargains at low prices, it is important not to miss out on sales information and events at each store . For example, there are opportunities to purchase items at significantly lower prices than usual at certain times, such as end-of-month clearance sales, New Year's lucky bag plans, and point redemption days.

Tips for taking advantage of sales:

●     Follow the store's social media and email newsletters

●     Pay attention to the POP and notices in the store

●     Become a regular customer and get information from the staff.

Brand-name products that are difficult to purchase at regular prices can be purchased at a sale price that will allow you to make a profit . It is important to keep your antennae up for information in order to purchase even one yen cheaper and increase your profit margin.

Get information by communicating with store staff

Building a relationship of trust with store clerks is extremely effective in increasing the accuracy of your purchasing. Store clerks have valuable inside information, such as stock availability, sale information, and trends in popular items.

For example, the following exchanges are valid:

●     Will there be any sports brands in stock in the future?

●     "I come here all the time, so it would be great if you could let me know when the sales are going on."

If you approach them with sincerity, they may be able to show you their private stock or tell you about sales in advance . Steady relationship building will lead to big purchasing opportunities in the future.

Points to note for beginners and tips for success

Reselling used clothing is an easy side hustle to start, but to make a steady income, it's important to take care and be practical.

Beginners, in particular, may find that their profits stagnate due to misjudging market trends, misrepresenting products when selling, or failing to set the price correctly . How can you avoid these risks and sell the secondhand clothes you have purchased for a high price? In this section, we will explain in detail the success tips of those who are making money, as well as the common pitfalls that beginners tend to fall into .

Conduct market research before purchasing

The most basic thing to do to avoid failure when purchasing goods is to do thorough research . Rather than buying products randomly, you can greatly reduce the risk of failure by making sure that the item is likely to sell before purchasing it.

The following methods are effective for conducting market research:

●     Search for "sold out" on Mercari and Rakuma to get an idea of market prices and popular brands.

●     Check for seasonal and trend changes in demand

●     Study other buyers' listings and price ranges

For example, by searching for words like "90s Nike sweatshirts," you can easily find out what kind of vintage clothing is selling these days . This kind of advance preparation will help you maximize your profits when purchasing.

Product photography and description improvement

In order to increase the purchase rate, it is very important to polish the "first impression" of the product page . No matter how good a bargain it is, if the photos are dark or the description is insufficient, the chances of selling will be greatly reduced.

Photo tips:

●     Shoot in natural daylight

●     Keep the background plain and simple

●     Carefully photographing details such as stains and tags

Key points of the description:

●     Accurately state brand name, size, and material

●     Describe in detail the condition of the item and any signs of wear or damage.

●     Propose styling examples and wearing occasions

By carefully providing information that allows customers to make purchases with confidence, you can significantly increase the purchase rate and repeat purchase rate . Photos and descriptions are processes that should be put as much effort into as purchasing the product.

Setting appropriate prices and handling price negotiations

In order to properly communicate the value of your product, you need to set a price that matches the market price . If it's too high, it won't sell, and if it's too low, you won't make a profit. It's important to check the market price on Mercari and Yahoo! Auctions, and then determine the line at which you can sell it.

Also, being able to negotiate prices is an important skill.

●     Set the price a little higher with the expectation of lowering it

●     Be flexible and offer "Immediate purchase for XX yen"

●     Calmly refuse unreasonable negotiations

If you can use negotiations in a positive way, you can increase your turnover rate and reduce your inventory . Always review your prices and negotiating power so you don't miss the best chance to sell.

Success stories of people who are actually making money

It is extremely effective to learn not only from theory and know-how, but also from the experiences of people who have actually achieved results.

Reselling used clothing is a side job that allows you to acquire skills that will definitely earn you money through practice . In this section, we will introduce real stories of practitioners who are steadily generating profits even with limited time and funds. It contains many points that even beginners can tackle, so it should give you some hints on how to find a method that suits your style.

The case of a housewife who achieved a monthly income of 100,000 yen

Ms. A, a housewife in her late 30s, started reselling used clothing as a side job she could do in between housework and childcare. At first, she went around to nearby second-hand shops with a capital of 10,000 yen, mainly purchasing women's brand clothing and bags .

The key to her success was "selecting products that targeted the same demographic of housewives as herself" and "explaining the products honestly." The following ideas seem to have been particularly effective:

●     Choose clothes that are easy to wear while raising children and brands aimed at mothers

●     Post pictures of the item being worn and examples of outfits to give a clear idea of how it will be used.

●     Increase trust by providing detailed explanations of the condition

As a result, after three months, they were able to steadily earn 100,000 yen a month, and now they are able to turn over inventory smoothly . This is a good example of starting at a level that they could continue without straining themselves, and gradually expanding their results.

The experiences of a part-time worker who switched from a side job to a full-time job

Mr. B, a man in his late 20s, used to work part-time at an apparel shop, but he was dissatisfied with the inconsistency of his salary, so he started reselling second-hand clothes as a side job . After work, he would go around to second-hand clothing stores in the suburbs and buy mainly sneakers and men's outerwear.

Person B adopted the following strategy:

●     A thorough look at high-priced Nike and Adidas limited edition models

●     Use Rakuma and Mercari to sell to your target audience through the best sales channel

●     Adjust the price immediately after listing to maximize inventory turnover by aiming for immediate sales.

After six months of starting, my monthly income exceeded 150,000 yen, so I quit my part-time job and started my own business reselling used clothes . Now, I have a stable income while expanding my suppliers nationwide.

summary

In order to make money reselling used clothes, it's important to be aware of both the right places to buy and how to sell them reliably.

Especially from the perspective of " how to find bargains on second-hand clothes ," it is a big advantage to utilize second-hand clothing stores in suburban areas rather than urban areas. In the suburbs, where prices are low and there is little competition, even beginners can easily make a profit, and there is an advantage in both the quality and quantity of products.

In addition to simply visiting stores, market research, creative photos and descriptions, and pricing strategies are also very important. As in the success stories introduced here, anyone can aim for a monthly income of more than 100,000 yen if they work hard. Reselling used clothing is easy to start as a side job and is sustainable, so it will be a powerful way to steadily increase your income.