Most stores are located in North Holland (155) and South Holland (124), while Flevoland remains the smallest market with only five outlets. Interestingly, the average age of entrepreneurs in this sector is 49—four years above the national average. In addition, female entrepreneurship is particularly strong: 82% of second-hand clothing shops are run by women, compared to 38% across the Dutch business landscape.
Thrift stores, where clothing forms a substantial part of the assortment, also play a key role in the sector. Their numbers grew between 2013 and 2017 but have since slightly declined to 1,813. Nevertheless, the industry still sees ample growth potential. “Our members are typically the larger stores, and we do not see a decline in their presence. What we do notice is that stores are expanding in size, driven by both strong supply and growing demand. Textiles account for around 28% of sales among our members. Vintage is hugely popular,” said Roel Beumer, spokesperson for the industry association Kringloop Nederland, in a press release.
According to KVK advisor Jacob van der Vis, many entrepreneurs in this sector evolve from hobbyists into more professional business operators. “It often starts as a hobby—people casually selling second-hand clothing. Gradually, they recognize the potential of a business model and begin to professionalize. To succeed, location is critical: you need a busy shopping street with strong foot traffic. While many thrift stores are located on industrial estates where people browse for various reasons, a dedicated fashion retailer needs prime visibility,” Van der Vis explained in a press statement.
Running a successful second-hand clothing store requires market insight. “Don’t stock poor-quality items—know what your market demands. Build a clear brand identity that draws customers in. That could mean specializing in children’s clothing, targeting a certain age group, offering vintage from a specific era, or focusing on premium labels.”
Looking ahead, the sector is expected to continue expanding, fueled by the growing popularity of vintage fashion and a shifting consumer mindset toward more sustainable alternatives.
Source & image: FashionUnited
Strong growth in second-hand clothing stores: 40% increase in twelve years
The Dutch high street is seeing a significant rise in second-hand clothing stores. According to data from the Chamber of Commerce, the number of shops in this sector has grown by 40% since 2013. Today, the Netherlands counts 723 second-hand clothing retail outlets.
