Start a profitable second-hand store with just €500?
Many dream of it, but few dare to believe it. However, several young retailers have taken the plunge with a very limited budget... and the results have exceeded their expectations.
Here's the (very real) story of those who decided to stop waiting for the perfect moment, and took the plunge with method, common sense... and a little audacity.
A simple idea: start small, but smart
Early April. Two friends with a passion for vintage wanted to try their hand at reselling clothes online.
They had no store, no website, no unlimited budget. Just a clear desire: to prove that it's possible to launch a viable business with limited means.
Their plan: buy a bundle of vintage clothes, sort out the best pieces, post them online on Vinted and Instagram, and see if they can generate sales quickly.
Total budget: €500.
They can't afford any mistakes.
The key step: choosing stock that can be resold
There's no question of wasting time rummaging through dusty bins. They get straight to the point: a ready-to-sell bundle from United Vintage, specializing in vintage clothing sorted by category (sweatshirts, t-shirts, hoodies...).
Bale cost: 350€
With the rest of the budget, they plan to invest in a few accessories to shoot their pieces and manage shipments.
Their objective is clear: sell fast, cleanly, and start building a small community around their world.
Neat presentation, simple strategy
They set up a mini photo studio at home, taking the time to sort and highlight each garment.
No pro shoots, just consistency, natural light and a good sense of detail.
They create an Instagram account with a clear editorial line, alternating product highlights, "new" stories and lifestyle content.
On Insta, they take care with titles, descriptions and prices.
A week later, the first sales began. Then the next.
Results after 30 days
- Parts for sale: 52
- Parts sold: 42
- Average price per piece: €19.50
- Total income: €819
- Net profit (after expenses, parcels, reinvestment): approximately €300
Within a month, they had not only repaid their initial outlay, but also proved that the model works.
They are now planning a second drop, with a larger budget and an already growing audience.
Things to remember
Launching a profitable thrift store doesn't necessarily require thousands of euros or a physical store.
What it does require is :
- Good stock, easy to sell
- Clean, consistent presentation
- A minimum of strategy
- And a reliable sourcing partner
United Vintage: the basis for a good start
If they were able to get started with €500, it's also because they made the right choices right from the start.
At United Vintage, you can order bales of vintage clothing already sorted by type, with sought-after pieces that can be resold quickly.
Would you like to start your own business without headaches, with stock that goes down well and a real focus on profitability?
Start simply, but start well.
United Vintage is with you from day one.