Running a resale or consignment shop is not easy, but the good news is, you do not have to guess your way through it. In this guide, you will find proven tactics to increase sales and foot traffic from top shops that have been doing consignment and resale for years like CoutureUSA, Loop Generation, inRotation, iSustain, Cabinet Vintage, Hardt Store and Ettresex. These stores have figured out what works.

1. Curate high quality in-demand inventory

Do not try to sell everything. Focus on fewer, better pieces. The best shops are picky about what they accept. They say no to fast fashion, worn-out items, or brands that do not move. You want a clean, consistent look in your store. That is what builds trust with customers.

You want people to walk in and know they will always find quality. Over time, your sales data will show what works. If certain brands or styles do not sell, stop taking them. If some categories fly off the racks, go get more of those.

What you can do:

• Create a clear brand list: what you accept, what you reject, and why

• Set rules for condition, style, and season and be consistent

• Rotate items every 60 to 90 days using consignment periods and auto-markdowns

2. Make it easy for people to sell to you

People with great items want a smooth process. If it is too much work, they will not bother. Make it simple for them to reach you, send photos, and understand how it works. This is how you attract the best inventory. Your system can be basic or more advanced.

What matters is that it is easy to use, especially on mobile. Some shops accept quick WhatsApp photos for a first look. Others use a form or a vendor portal where sellers upload all the details. Make sure it is clear, fast, and feels professional.

What you can do:

• Add a clear “Sell with us” section to your website with all steps explained

• Offer easy contact options like WhatsApp and link them on Instagram

• Use a seller portal so people can submit items and track their status anytime

3. Set clear rules with a consignment agreement

Do not leave things to chance. A good consignment agreement builds trust and avoids problems later. Your sellers should know exactly what happens with their items, how long they stay in the shop, when discounts apply, what happens if the item does not sell, and when they get paid.

This is not about legal fine print. It is about being honest and transparent. Most disputes come from confusion, not bad intent. A strong agreement keeps everyone on the same page.

What you can do:

• Include key terms like consignment period, payout timing, and markdown rules

• Link your agreement in your seller portal, receipts, and emails

• Use software that tracks who accepted the terms, like Circle-Hand

4. Stop using spreadsheets if you have 10+ sellers

If you are managing payouts, labels, and item tracking by hand or in Excel or free consignment software, you are losing time and making mistakes. It might have worked in the beginning, but once you have more than a handful of sellers, it becomes a full-time job.

Modern consignment software does the heavy lifting for you. It tracks every item, prints barcodes, splits payouts, and keeps records clean. It also makes you look more professional to your sellers. This is not just about saving time, it is about running a shop that grows without breaking down. The longer you wait, the more effort the transition will take.

What you can do:

• Use software to enter items, print tags, and track payouts automatically

• Choose a system that lets sellers log in and check their items anytime

• Look for features like tax handling, POS integration, and sales reporting

(This is how not to do it)

5. Use both consignment and buy-outright to manage cash flow

Many shops combine consignment and buy-outright. With consignment, you only pay vendors after an item sells. This reduces your risk and helps you hold onto cash longer. Many stores pay out monthly, e.g. sales made in June get paid at the end of July. You can also apply a return period. This gives buyers time to return items and delays when you pay sellers.

Buy-outright works well when you are confident an item will sell. It often gives you better profit margins. You pay upfront, but you can price and move the item on your terms. Use it when your cash flow allows it.

What you can do:

• Set a payout schedule that gives you a buffer, like paying one month after sale

• Add a return period before releasing payouts to protect cash and handle returns

• Use buy-outright when you have enough cash on hand and strong sell-through

6. Show your best items online (even if you sell in-store)

You do not need a full e-commerce setup to get online visibility. Just start by showing your best pieces on Instagram or your website. People want to browse before they visit. If they see something they like, they will come in.

You can offer click-and-collect or in-store pickup using Shopify. Even without shipping or online payments, showing your top items helps build trust and foot traffic. It also shows your style, and that is what brings the right people through the door.

What you can do:

• Post fresh arrivals and standout items on Instagram with clear photos and prices

• Add a “Shop the Look” or “In Store Now” section to your website without checkout

• Let people reserve items or message you to hold for pickup

7. Social media is not just for marketing, it can drive sales every single day.

If you are doing something interesting, show it on Instagram/TikTok/Reddit/YouTube. InRotation is a great example. People love to see what happens behind the scenes. Share how you process items, choose what to accept, price pieces, or set up displays. What feels routine to you is exciting for your customers.

This builds connection. It also shows that your shop is active, stylish, and full of fresh finds. The more often people see you, the more likely they are to stop by.

What you can do:

• Post new arrivals daily using Stories or Reels, make it fast and visual

• Try fun formats like “outfit of the day,” “staff picks,” or “today’s top 3 finds”

• Highlight your team, favorite consignors, and in-store events

8. Invest in local SEO, reviews and get found first

Most customers find shops like yours through Google. You want to be the first one they see. Start by claiming your Google Business Profile and optimizing it. Use keywords like “consignment shop (your city)” or “best resale store near me.” This helps you show up in local search and on Google Maps.

Ask for reviews after every visit, reviews build trust fast. Offer small rewards for reviews like free coffee. If you want to go further, use tools like Whitespark or GatherUp to track and grow your visibility. If you also sell online, add a review platform like Trustpilot and invite every buyer to leave feedback.

What you can do:

• Optimize your Google Business Profile with keywords and include photos of your store

• Ask customers to leave a review, offer small perks to encourage it

• Use tools like GatherUp or Trustpilot to grow and track your online reputation

9. Build a community and loyalty program that is more than discounts

If you run a consignment shop, you already have a built-in community: your sellers. Many of them also shop with you, tell their friends, and want to feel part of something. Give them reasons to stay connected. Offer bonuses for choosing store credit instead of payouts. Give your top vendors better rates or early access. Let everyone track sales in real time through a vendor portal or/and use Shopify apps like smile.io.

You can also collaborate with local creatives, invite stylists to curate collections, host artist pop-ups, or feature other circular brands. These partnerships bring new energy, new audiences, and make your shop a hub, not just a store.

What you can do:

• Offer store credit bonuses (e.g. 10%) for sellers who reinvest in your shop

• Give top consignors better rates or early drop-off slots

• Partner with local stylists, artists, or circular brands to host in-store events

10. Use data to grow, and show customers the impact

Do not just track your sales. Use your data to grow in the right direction. Look at what sells, what does not, who your top sellers are, and how long items take to move. This helps you make better intake decisions, plan promotions, and avoid clutter.

But your data is not just for you. It also tells a story your customers care about. They can shop and feel good about the environment. Show them the real impact: how much CO2 or water they saved by buying used. People love knowing they made a difference.

What you can do:

• Track sell-through, top brands, and seller stats each month to guide intake

• Share impact stats like “This month, our shoppers saved 35,000 liters of water”

• Feature high-demand brands and items in your displays and online posts