32 Consignment Shop Business Ideas You Can Start Today [2024]
Interested in starting a consignment shop business in 2024?
We put together 31 of the best consignment shop businesses you can start in today.
For each business idea, we’ll show you real-world examples of other consignment shop businesses to help you see what it really takes.
Here's the full list:
1. Start an etsy business
If you are an artist looking for ways to turn your skills into revenue, Etsy is your platform.
Etsy is a marketplace for artists and can bring in extra income or even replace your current job.
You can create art pieces and create a successful Etsy shop. Once your Etsy shop is online, consider joining a team to help you learn Etsy’s basics and how to market stuff on Etsy.
How much you can make: $100 — $135,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $1,600 (?)
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
Time commitment per week: Min. 3 hours/week
Sasha Weekes, owner of Timber Grove Studios, turned her fine arts and cabinetmaking education into a successful home-based woodworking business that grew from a side project to netting 20-50% profits month-to-month and up to $10,000 in sales during peak periods through Etsy, with her company's growth continuing to increase through other social media outlets.
2. Start a jewelry making business
The global jewelry market size was valued at $278B in 2018 and is expected to reach $292B by 2025.
The industry comprises manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers, and jewelry designers. Unlike many other industries that have gone through leaps in technology, the jewelry industry has remained untouched for over 40 years.
If you know how to make jewelry, then this might be a great way to make some extra money.
How much you can make: $1,000 — $2,000,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $3,500 (?)
How long does it take to build: 120 days (?)
A primary school teacher found his passion for jewelry-making, turning it into a successful business generating $2500-3000 per month through sales at the Creative Queenstown Arts and Crafts Market, online, and through stockists, with plans to expand and eventually make it his full-time profession.
3. Start a fashion accessories business
If you love fashion and clothing design, you may want to start a fashion accessories business. As a fashion accessories consultant, you help clients develop and adapt personal and professional styles.
Fashion accessories are decorative items that supplement one’s outfit. They include jewelry, gloves, belts, scarves, watches, sunglasses, bow ties, leggings, suspenders, and tights. To work as a professional stylist, collaborate with clients to understand their needs, and tailor styles and aesthetics to each individual’s preferences.
How much you can make: $150 — $190,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $550 (?)
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
Woodies, a wood sunglasses brand founded by Cory Stout, reached over $3.5M in revenue in 2018, despite starting with only $15K from a failed business and has succeeded through Amazon sales, spending $50K monthly on PPC and keeping ACOS at 30%.
4. Start a children's clothing business
The children's clothing industry has grown rapidly over the last few years, and in 2022 was valued at $263.30 billion.
Starting a children's clothing business gives you the opportunity to be your own boss while working in a field you enjoy. While you have to be prepared to work long hours and put in lots of hard effort, it can be extremely rewarding if successful.
How much you can make: $500 — $1,333,333/month
How much does it cost to start: $1,500 (?)
How long does it take to build: 190 days (?)
Argentinian startup Bambox has grown its monthly recurring revenue to $60,000 and ships more than 1,100 boxes of baby essentials a month, a figure expected to help it achieve an annual recurring revenue of about $750,000 in 2019, after launching its first subscription service in July 2017.
5. Start a women's clothing line
Starting a women’s clothing brand is a great way to enter entrepreneurship. You don’t need to have millions of dollars or vast experience to start your clothing line—just the drive and determination to be your own boss.
Women’s fashion has come a long way over the last decade, and there are many growth opportunities! New trends are constantly emerging, and old ones are returning, too, so there will always be an audience for your new designs if you keep up with the times (and stay on top of them).
How much you can make: $500 — $600,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $5,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 105 days (?)
Boutique Rye is an online-only women's clothing and accessories boutique that has grown to 3,200 Facebook Group members and a successful website through organic customer sharing, live sales, and open communication with customers.
6. Start an electronics store
An electronics store sells any electronics from smartphones to televisions, laptops, refrigerators and other home appliances. With the technological advancements in the past decade, the electronics sector is expected to grow by 5.6 percent over the next five years.
To start an electronics store, research and find the right location for your store, then register your company at the state level to get the tax ID number.
Then, research your competition, which includes online stores and the local electronics store in your area. You should examine what they sell and focus on the products you can provide at a better price than the competition.
How much you can make: $4,000 — $230,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $5,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)
Founder Kyle Capel started Hand Held Legend, a DIY upgrade shop for vintage handheld consoles, which generates an average revenue of $27,000 a month and grew 30% in Q1 of 2020, offering an array of modern LCD upgrades for various consoles and serving an audience of mostly male customers aged between 13 and 45, 40% of which are international.
7. Start an antique business
Owning an antique and vintage business can be fulfilling and profitable for those targeting the elite.
Antique businesses focus on procuring items at a low price and restoring them, then selling them at a profit. The items can include old toys, cars, bikes, household items, crafts, vintage jewelry, etc.
Opening an antique item store may seem somewhat daunting. However, once you have researched the items available and acquired the necessary skills and expertise, you will be ready to kick off.
For some, a storefront with enough storage for antique items might fit the bill. For others, an online store will work pretty well. Regardless of your approach, the secret is applying your entrepreneurship strategies to an overall framework for success.
How much you can make: $15,000/month
How a former educator built a successful antique restoration business from scratch, growing from a 2-car garage to a 2200 sq. ft. space over seven years, thanks to communication skills, dedication to organization, regular website updates, and utilization of Google My Business and Maps.
8. Start a shoe brand
Starting a shoe business can be very lucrative - you can make money by selling shoes, but you can also make money by buying shoes and then reselling them at a higher price.
It's an industry that's been around for hundreds of years, so it's well-established and has plenty of room for growth—especially if you can get in at the ground level. It's also easy to start with minimal investment: even if you only have enough money for two months' worth of inventory, you can still get started right away.
How much you can make: $1,000 — $4,000,000/month
How long does it take to build: 455 days (?)
16-year-old entrepreneur founds KASA, an online luxury shoe and accessory boutique with over 270 luxury shoes in the collection, generating $80k in monthly profits and exploring expansion into lower-end shoes and custom shoes for the poor.
9. Start a consignment shop owners network business
10. Start a business magazine
11. Start a sports consignment business
12. Start an art collectible business
Starting an art collectibles business can be a rewarding and exciting venture for those passionate about art and interested in acquiring and selling unique and valuable pieces.
The business of art collectibles involves buying and selling works of art, such as paintings, sculptures, and other rare and one-of-a-kind pieces. This can include everything from ancient artifacts to contemporary pieces by up-and-coming artists. The goal of an art collectibles business is to find and acquire high-quality pieces that have a strong market demand and then sell them to collectors or art enthusiasts for a profit.
To start an art collectibles business, you will need to invest in a diverse collection of pieces, either by purchasing them outright or by working with artists and dealers to acquire them on consignment. You will also need to research the market and determine which types of art are in high demand and what prices you can expect to sell them for.
In addition to having a passion for art, a few key skills and qualities can help you succeed in the art collectibles business. These include:
- Strong knowledge of art history and different art movements
- The ability to spot and evaluate high-quality pieces
- Good business sense and financial skills to manage your inventory and pricing
- Strong communication and negotiation skills to work with clients and other industry professionals
To get started, you may want to consider joining a professional organization, such as the International Association of Dealers in Ancient Art or the American Association of Auctioneers, to connect with other professionals in the field and learn more about the industry. You should also consider developing a strong online presence through your website or selling your items through online platforms such as eBay or Etsy.
Starting an art collectibles business can be challenging but rewarding for those passionate about art who have a strong understanding of the market. With hard work, dedication, and a little luck, you can turn your love of art into a successful and fulfilling career.
13. Start a vintage reselling business
Designer vintage collection rises in value as it ages, making it a profitable business.
To start the vintage reselling business, research the market to find highly valued items. Then, analyze the target audience to determine what qualities they are likely to look out for when buying vintage products.
To start the business, you can source vintage products from craigslist and eBay.
Provided you can source quality products and target an audience with a bigger budget, you can earn good profits from a vintage reselling business.
14. Start an used shoe consignment store business
15. Start a musical instrument sales business
Thinking about combining your passion for music and business acumen? Consider opening a musical instrument sales business. At its core, this involves sourcing a variety of instruments and related accessories for sale, either in a physical store or online.
The demand for musical instruments spans hobbyists to professionals, which means a steady customer base. You'll need to carefully select high-quality instruments, engage in effective marketing, and maintain excellent customer service. Building relationships with suppliers and staying updated with industry trends will be crucial for success.
If you've always dreamed of working with guitars, pianos, or drums, this business provides a fulfilling opportunity to immerse yourself in the world of music while generating income. It's hard work, but for music lovers, there’s nothing quite like turning your passion into a thriving business.
How much you can make: $550,000/month
How long does it take to build: 30 days (?)
Flute Center of New York is the largest flute-centric company in the world, servicing musicians globally with an impressive retail level sales of over 7 million USD in 2019 by selling flutes and piccolos ranging from $500 to an astonishing $75,000.
16. Become a business consultant
Business consultants serve as professional advisors who help companies achieve their goals or to streamline operations in a particular business area.
Business consulting is big business. Experts project the demand for consultants to keep increasing in the coming years. Therefore, becoming a certified business consultant can be rewarding.
To become a business consultant, you need a bachelor’s degree and expertise in a specific area. Are you ready to start your business consulting career and develop a professional network and web presence to help you connect with clients?
How much you can make: $1,500 — $1,500,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $1,425 (?)
How long does it take to build: 66 days (?)
This case study is about a founder who launched a paywall platform for content creators in 2019, bootstrapping it from $0 and eventually selling it for $3.5M on Flippa, with the platform generating between $125,000 - $142,000 in Monthly Recurring Revenue (MRR) on 95% margins.
17. Start a toys store
Starting a toy store can be a fun and rewarding business opportunity for anyone looking to tap into the lucrative toy industry. The business involves sourcing and selling a wide range of toys and games for children of all ages. This could include everything from classic board games and dolls to the latest electronic gadgets and tech toys.
To start a toy store, you will need to do market research to identify what toys are prevalent in your area and what age groups you will target.
You will also need to secure a physical location for your store, whether a standalone shop or a space within a shopping mall. You will also need to stock your store with a wide range of products and decide on a pricing strategy to attract customers while allowing you to profit.
Running a toy store involves a lot of customer interaction, so excellent customer service skills are necessary. You will also need good business management skills to handle inventory, pricing, and sales.
Marketing your store through social media and local advertising can also help bring in customers and drive sales.
Starting a toy store can be a fun and rewarding business opportunity for anyone with a passion for toys and a desire to bring joy to children. With the proper planning and execution, you can turn your toy store into a thriving business.
How much you can make: $1,661 — $10,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $1,500 (?)
A high school student turned his love for LEGO into a $1.6k/month business, Summerfield's Toys, by reselling sets online through eBay, BrickLink, and Facebook Marketplace, in addition to buying and reselling brand new sets.
18. Start a consignment sale business
Consignment sale businesses involve purchasing or accepting used or gently worn items from individuals, and then reselling them at a markup to other customers. This can include clothing, furniture, home decor, and other items.
To run a successful consignment sale business, a few key considerations must be kept in mind. Firstly, it’s essential to clearly understand your target market and the types of items most appealing to them. This could involve researching local trends and popular brands and reaching out to potential sellers to gauge what types of items they may be interested in consigning.
Another critical element of running a successful consignment sale business is effectively pricing and marketing the items you have for sale. This will involve keeping track of the original purchase price of the items and the current market value of similar items to determine a fair selling price. It’s also essential to have a strong online presence, whether through a website or social media, to help attract customers and showcase the items you have available.
Finally, it’s crucial to have a system in place for managing the consignment process, including tracking the items you have for sale, communicating with sellers, and handling any disputes that may arise. This could involve using software or a spreadsheet to keep track of everything and having clear policies and procedures in place for dealing with any issues that may come up.
Overall, running a consignment sale business can be a rewarding and profitable venture for entrepreneurs who are able to source and sell quality items to their target market effectively. With the right planning and attention to detail, this can be a successful and lucrative business opportunity.
19. Start a book store
Starting a bookstore is a great way to start a small business.
Bookstores are found anywhere, from the smallest towns to the largest cities. Perhaps you have thought of running your bookstore . People need to read and buy books, and that’s been true for thousands of years. A bookstore is also a great central location where people can browse and purchase books.
Listed are the steps to start a bookstore business.
- Register your business
- Get all required permits and licenses.
- Organize your business operational flow
- Promote your business
How much you can make: $30,000 — $50,000/month
How long does it take to build: 212 days (?)
OrderOfBooks.com is a website that lists books in both publication and chronological order and generates six-figure revenue after starting off as a resource for the founder and his friends, serving as a valuable resource for book readers.
20. Start a wedding dress consignment business
21. Start a pallet consignment shop
22. Start an used phones selling business
23. Start an online consignment shop business
24. Start a tools consignment shop business
25. Start a consignment furniture store business
26. Start a basketball wares consignment business
27. Start a music store business
Thinking about diving into the music industry? A music store might be your ticket. This business involves selling musical instruments, sheet music, and accessories, serving as a local hub for musicians and enthusiasts.
Imagine a space filled with guitars, keyboards, violins, and drums. Your store could be the go-to spot for anyone looking to start or continue their musical journey.
The work requires more than just a love for music. You'll need to manage inventory, develop relationships with suppliers, and offer exceptional customer service. The ability to host workshops or offer instrument repairs can set your store apart.
Starting a music store isn't just about selling instruments; it's about creating a community. It's a fulfilling venture where business meets passion, making a tangible impact on local culture and art. Consider it if you want to blend business acumen with a love for music.
How much you can make: $100 — $550,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $5,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 5 days (?)
Flute Center of New York is the largest flute-centric company in the world, servicing musicians globally with an impressive retail level sales of over 7 million USD in 2019 by selling flutes and piccolos ranging from $500 to an astonishing $75,000.
28. Sell firearms
29. Start a computer store
A computer store is a retail business that specializes in selling and servicing computers and related devices. These stores offer a range of products, including desktop computers, laptops, tablets, printers, and peripherals such as keyboards, mice, and monitors.
In addition to selling hardware, computer stores also offer software and services such as repair and maintenance, data recovery, and installation and setup. Some stores may also offer training and support services to help customers get the most out of their computer products.
To run a successful computer store, you must understand the products and services you offer sincerely. This includes staying up-to-date on the latest technology trends and being able to troubleshoot and repair common computer issues. It is also essential to have a strong customer service orientation and be able to educate customers on the benefits and features of different products.
To succeed in this business, it is also crucial to have a strong marketing and sales strategy. This can include offering promotions and discounts, establishing partnerships with local businesses, and utilizing social media and online marketing to reach new customers.
Other tips for running a successful computer store include:
- Developing a knowledgeable and helpful team of employees who can assist customers with their computer needs
- Building relationships with suppliers and manufacturers to secure the best prices and product availability
- Offering warranties and service plans to give customers peace of mind and encourage repeat business
- Staying organized and maintaining a clean and professional store environment.
30. Start an automobile consignment business
31. Start a consignment clothing store business
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Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
