NAICS 459510 Quarterly Industry Report
Used Merchandise Retailers
Comprehensive industry research for valuation professionals, business owners, buyers, and lenders
NAICS Code: 459510Sector: 45Updated: Q1 2026
About This Report
This NAICS 459510 industry report draws on data from the U.S. Census Bureau[4] Annual Retail Trade Survey, the Bureau of Labor Statistics[5] employment statistics for retail workers, and Small Business Administration[6] size standard tables. Fair Market Value analysts supplement these federal sources with resale industry trade data and consumer spending reports to deliver quarterly updates. Each NAICS 459510 report revision captures employment trends, secondhand market dynamics, and competitive shifts across the used merchandise retail sector.
Industry Definition & Overview
Used Merchandise Retailers (NAICS 459510) encompasses establishments primarily engaged in retailing used merchandise, antiques, and secondhand goods. Thrift stores, consignment shops, pawnshops, vintage clothing boutiques, antique dealers, and resale stores all fall within this classification. The code excludes used motor vehicles, auto parts, tires, and mobile homes, which fall under separate automotive retail categories. Goodwill, Salvation Army, and other charitable thrift operations represent major industry participants alongside for-profit chains like Savers and thousands of independent resale shops.
The U.S. Census Bureau[4] classifies used merchandise retailing separately from new goods specialty retail formats. Product categories span clothing, furniture, household goods, electronics, books, sporting equipment, jewelry, collectibles, and antiques. Consignment models allow shop owners to sell goods on behalf of original owners, splitting proceeds at agreed-upon percentages. Pawnshops combine merchandise resale with collateral lending, creating a dual revenue model unique within this classification.
Sustainability trends and value-conscious shopping have strengthened consumer interest in secondhand purchasing across all income levels and age groups. Online resale platforms have expanded the addressable market, though physical stores retain advantages in browsing experience, immediate availability, and the treasure-hunt shopping appeal that drives repeat visits. Nonprofit thrift operations fund charitable missions through retail proceeds, creating a community support dimension that differentiates them from for-profit competitors and generates consistent donor-supplied inventory at minimal acquisition cost.
What's Included in This Industry
- Operating thrift stores selling donated used clothing, furniture, and household goods
- Running consignment shops that sell used merchandise on behalf of original owners
- Operating pawnshops retailing unredeemed pledged merchandise and secondhand goods
- Retailing antiques, vintage items, and collectibles through specialty antique shops
- Selling used books, records, and media through secondhand specialty stores
- Operating vintage and resale clothing boutiques featuring curated secondhand apparel
- Running estate sale and liquidation retail operations for used household contents
- Retailing used sporting goods, outdoor equipment, and recreational gear
- Operating used furniture and home goods retail stores
- Selling secondhand jewelry, watches, and accessories through resale retailers
NAICS Classification Hierarchy
| Level | Description | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Subsector | Sporting Goods, Hobby, Musical Instrument, Book, and Miscellaneous Retailers | 459 |
| Industry Group | Used Merchandise Retailers | 4595 |
| NAICS Industry | Used Merchandise Retailers | 45951 |
| National Industry | Used Merchandise Retailers | 459510 |
Related NAICS Codes
| Code | Description | Relationship |
|---|---|---|
| 459999 | All Other Miscellaneous Retailers | All other miscellaneous retailers sell specialty merchandise through similar small-format retail locations that compete for the same neighborhood commercial real estate |
| 459110 | Sporting Goods Retailers | Sporting goods retailers sell new athletic equipment and outdoor gear that competes with the used sporting goods inventory found at thrift and resale stores |
| 449110 | Furniture Retailers | Furniture retailers sell new home furnishings that compete with the used furniture inventory at thrift stores and consignment shops |
| 458110 | Clothing and Clothing Accessories Retailers | Clothing and clothing accessories retailers sell new apparel that competes with secondhand clothing available at thrift stores and vintage boutiques |
| 459420 | Gift, Novelty, and Souvenir Retailers | Gift and novelty retailers sell collectibles, curios, and decorative merchandise that overlaps with the antique and vintage items found at used goods stores |
| 812310 | Coin-Operated Laundries and Drycleaners | Coin-operated laundries and drycleaners serve the same value-conscious consumer demographic that frequents thrift stores in neighborhood commercial areas |
SBA Lending Summary
952
Total SBA Loans
$284.9M
Total Loan Volume
$299K
Average Loan Size
11 yrs
Average Loan Term
10.50%
Average Interest Rate
7,496
Jobs Supported
Source: SBA 7(a) Program Data, U.S. Small Business Administration — FY 2025[3]
Key Insight: The Small Business Administration[7] sets the size standard for NAICS 459510 at $14 million in average annual receipts. Independent thrift shops, consignment stores, and antique dealers below this threshold qualify as small businesses. SBA 7(a) loans[8] can finance inventory acquisition, store buildouts, and working capital for used merchandise retail operations. The SBA 504 program[9] supports real estate purchases and major renovation investments for owner-operated resale retail locations.
Top SBA Lenders
| # | Lender | Loans | Volume | Avg Loan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | First Internet Bank of Indiana | 16 | $25.1M | $1.6M |
| 2 | Horizon Bank | 8 | $19.5M | $2.4M |
| 3 | Wells Fargo Bank National Association | 40 | $19.1M | $477K |
| 4 | Port 51 Lending LLC | 8 | $17.4M | $2.2M |
| 5 | Newtek Bank, National Association | 48 | $16.9M | $352K |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this industry.
What businesses are classified under NAICS 459510?
NAICS 459510 covers thrift stores, consignment shops, pawnshops, antique dealers, vintage clothing boutiques, and used book stores. Any establishment primarily retailing secondhand goods qualifies, excluding used vehicles and auto parts. The U.S. Census Bureau[4] provides the official classification.
How is NAICS 459510 structured within the retail sector?
NAICS 459510 falls within Subsector 459, covering sporting goods, hobby, musical instrument, book, and miscellaneous retailers. Used merchandise retailing is separate from new goods specialty retail codes. The Census Bureau[10] places secondhand retailers alongside other specialty and miscellaneous retail formats.
What is the SBA size standard for used merchandise stores?
The SBA sets the size standard at $14 million in average annual receipts for NAICS 459510. Most independent thrift shops and consignment stores operate well below this threshold. Current standards appear in the SBA table of size standards[6].
Which NAICS codes relate most closely to 459510?
Key related codes include 449110 for furniture retailers, 458110 for clothing stores, 459420 for gift and novelty shops, and 459999 for miscellaneous retailers. Each represents a new goods retail channel that competes with used merchandise for consumer spending.
What industries interact with used merchandise retailers?
New furniture stores (449110) and clothing retailers (458110) compete for the same consumer spending, gift shops (459420) carry overlapping collectible inventory, and miscellaneous retailers (459999) share similar neighborhood locations. Charitable organizations also supply inventory through donation collection programs.
What activities does NAICS 459510 include?
Activities cover retailing used clothing, furniture, electronics, books, antiques, collectibles, and household goods. Consignment selling, pawnshop merchandise sales, and estate liquidation retail qualify as well. The Census definition[4] lists the full scope.
Can thrift store owners get SBA loans?
Used merchandise retailers with receipts under $14 million qualify for SBA 7(a) loans covering inventory, store improvements, and working capital. The 504 program funds real estate and major renovations. Details are at the SBA funding programs page[11].
Where are used merchandise retailers concentrated?
Thrift stores and resale shops distribute across urban, suburban, and rural markets nationwide. Higher densities occur in metropolitan areas with large donor populations and along major commercial corridors. College towns, arts districts, and communities with strong sustainability cultures support particularly active vintage and resale retail markets.
Sources & References
Government datasets and editorial sources used in this report.
- [1]U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages bls.gov
- [2]U.S. Census Bureau, Economic Census census.gov
- [3]U.S. Small Business Administration, SBA 7(a) Loan Program Data data.sba.gov
- [4]U.S. Census Bureau census.gov
- [5]Bureau of Labor Statistics bls.gov
- [6]Small Business Administration sba.gov
- [7]Small Business Administration sba.gov
- [8]SBA 7(a) loans sba.gov
- [9]SBA 504 program sba.gov
- [10]Census Bureau census.gov
- [11]SBA funding programs page sba.gov
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