The quick takeaway
As household budgets stay tight, more parents are turning to resale for kids’ clothing, baby gear, and maternity wear. The appeal is simple: children outgrow things fast, many baby products are used for a short window, and resale can cut costs dramatically while still delivering brand-name quality.
What’s driving the resale surge
Resale isn’t a niche habit anymore—it’s a practical response to a higher-cost economy.
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Prices are still elevated compared to a few years ago. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 2.7% over the 12 months ending December 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.Source: https://www.bls.gov/cpi/
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Kids’ items have a short “useful life.” Babies can move through multiple sizes in a single year, and toddlers can outgrow shoes in months.
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Parents are prioritizing value over “new.” More shoppers are willing to buy gently used if it’s clean, inspected, and in good condition.
The numbers: why resale pencils out
Parents often describe resale as “saving a little,” but the math can be more significant—especially over a full year of growth.
1) Clothing savings can be substantial
Resale pricing varies by store and condition, but the core value proposition is consistent: families can often find quality items at a fraction of retail, especially for fast-growing sizes (newborn through toddler).
2) The secondhand market itself is growing fast
The scale of resale has expanded quickly over the last several years—and the data suggests it’s not slowing down.
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The U.S. secondhand apparel market grew 14% in 2024, according to ThredUp’s 2025 Resale Report.Source: https://cf-assets-tup.thredup.com/resale_report/2025/ThredUp_Resale_Report_2025.pdf
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That same report projects the U.S. secondhand apparel market will reach $74 billion by 2029.Source: https://cf-assets-tup.thredup.com/resale_report/2025/ThredUp_Resale_Report_2025.pdf
For parents, that growth often shows up in a very practical way: more selection (more sizes, more categories, more brands) and a shopping experience that feels increasingly “retail-like.”
3) Parents are buying more used items—on purpose
Secondhand shopping is increasingly mainstream, and families with young kids are a natural fit for the category because it’s high-turnover by design.
Why kids’ and maternity resale is a “perfect fit” category
Resale works especially well for children’s and maternity items because:
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High turnover: Kids outgrow sizes quickly.
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Short-term needs: Maternity wardrobes are temporary by nature.
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Occasion wear: Holiday outfits, photo-day looks, and special-event pieces may only be worn once.
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Durability: Many children’s brands are built to last longer than one child.
Resale isn’t just buying—it’s selling, too
Another reason resale is gaining traction: many stores offer cash or store credit for gently used items.
For families, that creates a budget-friendly loop:
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Buy what you need at a lower cost.
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Sell items your child has outgrown.
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Use that money to help fund the next size up.
In a tight economy, that “recycle your closet” approach can make a real difference month to month.
What parents should look for in a resale store
As resale becomes more popular, shoppers are also getting pickier. Parents tend to gravitate toward stores that offer:
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Quality standards: Items are inspected for wear, stains, and safety (especially for baby gear).
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Clear organization: Sizes and categories are easy to shop quickly.
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Fast inventory turnover: New items added frequently.
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A wide range: Newborn through toddler sizes, plus shoes, toys, books, and baby equipment.
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A simple selling process: Clear guidelines on what the store buys and how payouts work.
The bottom line
In today’s economy, families are looking for ways to stretch every dollar without compromising on what their kids need. Resale stores are meeting that moment—offering parents a practical way to shop, save, and even earn money back on items they no longer use.
For many households, resale isn’t a backup plan anymore. It’s the plan.
