Bin stores, or “outlets” that sell returned or overstock merchandise from retailers, are booming! As consumers grapple with inflation, sifting through the excess can mean the score of a lifetime for cheap.
Because customers are quite literally sifting through bins, the model works like this: prices start higher at the start of the week after restocking, and then fall to as low as $1 by the end of the week, fueling a “treasure-hunt” shopping experience that appeals especially to budget-conscious shoppers and resellers. The rise in bin stores, spurred by the pandemic-driven surge as online returns and increased prices (roughly 24% higher than in 2020), has led to rapid expansion for some operators. However, challenges like increasing tariffs, shifting retailer practices, and intense competition could threaten their long-term sustainability.
I drove out to Crazy Mad Dealz in Hempstead, NY to see what all the fuss was about. As a fan of yard-saleing, I had a fabulous time “sorting” through myself to make some photos. SO THANKFUL for Alis Atwell as always for a marvelous story, edit, and opportunity!!!
