MALVERN, Pa. (WPVI) — The growing popularity of secondhand shopping is creating new opportunities for entrepreneurs, including a Malvern woman who is taking her resale business from online sales to a brick-and-mortar store.<\/p>\n
A new eBay report found 81% of Americans surveyed shopped secondhand in the past year.<\/p>\n
Saving money ranked among the top three reasons for buying used goods, with nearly half of respondents listing it as their primary reason.<\/p>\n
For Ashley Ralligh, concerns about the economy helped spark a business idea.<\/p>\n
“Having anxiety about the economy, so I started thrifting,” Ralligh said.<\/p>\n
Ralligh began her side business in 2025 by selling handbags online.<\/p>\n
“So I opened up a Poshmark store, and I started live-selling purses. Coach purses is what I loved to sell, and it really took off from there,” she said.<\/p>\n
Within a year, Ralligh expanded from online sales to a booth at the Philadelphia Flea Market Consignment.<\/p>\n
Next month, she plans to open Mainline ReChic<\/a> at the Philadelphia Premium Outlets in Pottstown, Pennsylvania, describing the business as a place where luxury meets attainable prices.<\/p>\n Ralligh said affordability is helping drive demand for secondhand goods.<\/p>\n “Of course, the financial piece of it, they wanted to be fiscally responsible. People are looking to reallocate their funds in any way possible,” she said.<\/p>\n Everyday fashion, footwear, home, and media are among the top categories for secondhand purchases.<\/p>\n “They see the craftsmanship is incomparable,” Ralligh said. “They want to see their money go a lot further than if you were to go and buy brand new. What you can get vintage for $80 is going to get you a lot more than what you can get for $80 in a box store.”<\/p>\n Ralligh plans to open Mainline ReChic<\/a> before Thanksgiving and in time for Black Friday.<\/p>\n Copyright \u00a9 2026 WPVI-TV. All Rights Reserved.<\/p>\n