Celebrate Secondhand September: How Resale Stores Can Inspire Consumers to Shop Secondhand

September marks the start of Secondhand September, a month dedicated to encouraging consumers to shop secondhand and make more sustainable choices. This is the perfect opportunity for resale stores to showcase the unique benefits of secondhand shopping!

4 Ways Your Store can Encourage Secondhand September

Let’s dive into some fun and creative ways you can celebrate Secondhand September and inspire your community to fall in love with resale.

1. Host a Special Event

What better way to kick off Secondhand September than with a fun event? Get your customers excited about secondhand shopping with a themed sale or a community-building activity like these:

• “Fill-a-Bag” Sale: Customers pay a flat fee to fill a bag with as many items as they can fit. It’s a great way to encourage bulk buying and clear out inventory fast. You can even section off certain areas or items just for the sale. 
• Swap & Shop: Bring the community together with a clothing swap! Invite customers to bring in their gently used items to trade with others, then let them explore your store. It’s a fun way to introduce new people to your shop and build a sense of community.

Run special promotions throughout September to incentivize shopping at your store. Some ideas include:

• Discount for Donors: Offer a special discount to customers who bring in items to donate. It’s a win-win—you get fresh inventory, and they get a great deal on their next purchase.
• Bundle Deals: Create bundled discounts, such as “Buy 2, Get 1 Free”. This is a great way to move more inventory while giving customers a deal.
• Loyalty Program Boost: Double the points for your loyalty program members during September, giving them more reason to shop with you throughout the month.

Social media is a powerful tool for promoting Secondhand September and connecting with your audience. Here are some ideas for social media posts:

• 30 Days of Secondhand: Share a daily post featuring a unique item in your store, along with styling tips or the story behind the piece. Use hashtags like #SecondhandSeptember and #ShopSustainably to reach a broader audience.
• Customer Spotlights: Feature customers who shop secondhand at your store, showcasing their finds and sharing their reasons for choosing secondhand. It’s a great way to build community and showcase real testimonials.
• Before & After Challenges: Encourage customers to share before-and-after photos of items they’ve purchased from your store and upcycled or styled in a unique way. You can even offer a prize for the most creative transformation—everyone loves a little friendly competition!

Collaborating with local businesses can help you reach new customers and build a sense of community. Consider these partnership ideas:

• Pop-Up Shops: Partner with local cafes, bookstores, or other retailers to host pop-up shops or showcase a curated selection of your items. This introduces your store to a new audience in a different setting.
• Cross-Promotions: Team up with other resale or eco-friendly brands or services to offer joint discounts or giveaways. 

Secondhand September Media Kit

We know how busy you are, so we’ve put together a media kit to make promoting Secondhand September a breeze. With ready-to-use social media images, infographics, and more, you’ll have everything you need to keep your customers engaged and excited.

How to Use Them:

• Instagram & Facebook: Post these images directly to your feed with a catchy caption and relevant hashtags to grab attention.
• Instagram Stories: Share the images in your Stories, and add some fun stickers, music, or polls to drive even more interaction.
• Pinterest: Pin the images to inspire your audience and direct traffic back to your store’s website or blog.
• Twitter: Tweet the images with short, catchy captions to spread the word quickly. Encourage retweets to expand your reach.

Customize the template here.

Customize the template here. 

2. Social Post

Customize the template here.

Customize the template here. 

Customize the template here. 

We've created two infographics to help you connect with your customers in a visually engaging way. Use this infographic to educate your audience about the benefits of shopping secondhand, the sustainability of resale, or whatever message aligns with your brand.

How to Share:

• Social Media: Post the infographic on your store’s Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter. Use relevant hashtags to reach a wider audience, and don't forget to tag us!
• Email Newsletters: Include the infographic in your next email blast to keep your subscribers informed and engaged. It’s a great way to add value to your content.
• In-Store Displays: Print the infographic and display it in your store to catch your customers' attention while they shop. You can also hand out smaller versions for them to take home.

Customize the template here. 

Customize the template here. 

To Wrap Up

Secondhand September is a great opportunity for resale stores to not only boost sales but also foster a sense of community and environmental responsibility among customers. By hosting events, creating promotions, and leveraging social media, your store can inspire consumers to embrace secondhand shopping as a sustainable and stylish choice. Happy secondhand selling!