How to Start a Resale Business

Part 1 - How to start a Resale business - Background

Resale businesses contribute to environmental sustainability by recycling clothing, furniture, and other household items. Many resale businesses operate online, while others maintain physical stores within local communities. Some accept donations only on-site, while others provide pickup services. Resale business owners and employees create attractive displays that change frequently according to available goods and the popularity of particular brands or items. Typically, resale business owners maintain mutually beneficial relationships with charitable community organizations as well as their regular customers.

Our guide is in 3 parts:

• Part 1 - How to start a Resale business - Background
• Part 2 - Our planner tool to see if this idea is the right fit for you
• Part 3 - Action plan to get started

What are the costs involved in opening a resale business?

While opening a resale business costs less than many others due to the fact that some merchandise is donated, it does require some startup capital. The amount depends on whether your business is conducted online, at a flea market, or in a store. For a physical store, business licenses, liability insurance, space rent and merchandise are among the initial startup costs. Those costs can range from as little as $5,000 to as much as $30,000, depending on the type of items being sold and the percentage of your inventory that comes from donations. Start-up and operating costs can be reduced by utilizing software developed specifically for resale businesses. That software allows you to automate tasks such as maintaining customer databases, tracking sales and inventory, and creating sales promotions.

What are the ongoing expenses for a resale business?

Depending on the type of resale business, ongoing expenses may include space rent, website maintenance, a business phone, employee salaries and a company vehicle for picking up donations. For online businesses, your main costs will include managing a warehouse and preparing and shipping orders.

Who is the target market?

Preferred clients are those who purchase items for their own use, rather than for resale purposes.

How does a resale business make money?

A resale business makes money by selling used merchandise at a profit. Competitive pricing that factors in the cost of merchandise and operating expenses is crucial to the success of any retail business.

How much can you charge customers?

The amount you can charge customers is based partly on your chosen target market and the amount of competition for that market in your area. Pricing is based in part on ensuring that there is a profit after operating costs are subtracted from sales figures. Other factors that affect pricing include the quality of the items, their current market value, and the strength of the local economy. Some resale businesses specialize in selling large quantities of low-cost items, while others focus on selling high-cost items. High-end designer fashions, appliances, and furniture command a higher resale price than lesser-known brands even though the quality may be comparable. The ambiance of your store and the language used to describe your merchandise can also affect pricing.

How much profit can a resale business make?

The amount of profits a resale business can make depends on its resources. Those resources include merchandise and equipment as well as human resources. Knowledge, expertise and the development of company and community relationships all contribute to increasing profits. Annual earnings for small resale businesses average from between $30,000 and $60,000.

How can you make your business more profitable?

You can make your business more profitable by conducting regular market research, which includes visiting competitors to compare prices and find new ways to set yourself apart. Increasing your donations by offering convenient pick-up and purchasing items in bulk from wholesalers whenever possible can also increase your profit margin.

Day-to-Day and Growth

What happens during a typical day at a resale business?

• Accepting donations and purchasing merchandise from various sources such as wholesalers, local charities, estate sales, and yard sales

• Separating, cleaning, repairing, pricing and displaying donated and purchased items

• Market research and targeted advertising

• Attending community events, advertising and creating sales promotions

• Interacting with donors, vendors and customers

• Training, scheduling and managing employees

What are some skills and experiences that will help you build a successful resale business?

Many people gain experience in the resale business through garage sales, flea markets, or selling items online before starting their own businesses. Whether your store is online or has a physical location, negotiation skills are essential, since profit depends on purchasing items for less than their resale price. Market research skills are as vital for pricing merchandise as good customer service skills are for building a regular clientele. An artistic eye is also helpful for creating attractive displays that showcase your goods in the best possible light.

What is the growth potential for a resale business?

Resale businesses can become so successful that they are able to offer franchise opportunities for others. Play It Again Sports is a good example.

How and when to build a team

Although it is possible to start and maintain a small resale business without assistance, successful expansion requires additional help. There are a number of options for building a team. One is to create a partnership in order to share expenses and responsibilities. Another is to hire employees at a regular wage, as your revenue increases to allow for an expanding staff. Profit sharing is becoming an increasingly popular option, since it reduces expenses and increases incentive.

Part 2 - Is a Resale business the right fit for you?

Part 3 - Action plan to launch your Resale business in 90 days