Thrift shopping isn’t just about saving money—it’s about the thrill of the find.
Whether someone’s hunting for a vintage jacket or trying to shop sustainably, thrift stores attract a loyal community of shoppers who love the surprise of a fresh rack.
But with new inventory hitting the floor every day, your shoppers aren’t just stopping by once—they’re popping in often to see what’s new. That’s exactly why loyalty programs make so much sense for thrift.
Why Your Thrift Store Needs a Loyalty Program
There’s two things thrift lovers can’t resist: a good find and an even better deal. That’s exactly why loyalty programs are a gold mine for thrift stores.
And here’s the thing: your customers are ready for it. 52% of American shoppers say they’ll join a loyalty program if they shop at a store regularly. So chances are, many of your regulars would sign up in a heartbeat—they just need a little nudge.
With the right loyalty platform, you can:
- Offer perks that keep customers coming back
- Incentivize item donations and grow your inventory
- Recognize your most loyal supporters
- Collect data that helps you optimize inventory and marketing
- Encourage larger basket sizes and increase customer lifetime value (CLV)
For thrift stores, loyalty programs don’t just reward frequent purchases, they turn the thrill of the hunt into long-term customer loyalty.
Try our loyalty program ROI calculator and discover the potential revenue your business could achieve.
How to Get Shoppers to Sign Up for Your Thrift Loyalty Program
A great loyalty program only works if people know about it—and signing up should be as easy as saying “yes” to a vintage find.
Here are a few smart, low-lift ways to drive sign-ups:
- Offer sign-up options at your POS: The checkout counter is the perfect moment to introduce your customers to your loyalty program. (eg: Train staff to say, “Would you like to join our loyalty program? You’ll earn points from this purchase—it’s quick and free!”)
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Display text-to-join options and QR codes for effortless sign-ups: Not everyone wants to download an app or fill out a form—so make joining effortless with text-to-join options or QR codes (eg. display signs on donation bins or clothing racks that say: “Join our rewards program in 10 seconds! Text THRIFT to 70701 or scan our QR code.”)
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Promote Loyalty on Social Media and Email: Extend sign-up opportunities beyond the store by promoting your loyalty program where your customers are already engaged—online. (eg. Add a link in your Instagram bio with the caption: “Sign up for our loyalty club and get 10% off your next thrift haul.” or include a prominent CTA in your email newsletters.)
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Offer a Welcome Bonus for Joining: Give people a little incentive to take action right away. A first-time reward makes joining feel worthwhile and builds instant positive association with your brand. (eg.“Sign up today and get $5 off a $20+ purchase”)
By combining these sign-up strategies, you meet shoppers at every touchpoint—online, in-store, at checkout, and even while they donate. The easier and more rewarding you make the process, the faster your thrift loyalty program will grow.
Take Mission Thrift, for example—a non-profit chain with over 40 locations across Canada. By making sign-ups easy and visible at multiple points—in checkout lines, on donation bins, and through online channels—they grew their loyalty membership by 201%.
Read about how Mission Thrift used DataCandy to grow memberships by 201% across 40+ locations.
6 Loyalty Program Ideas That Keep Thrift Shoppers Coming Back
With never-ending fresh inventory, thrift lovers will frequently scour the shelves—excited for the chance to find their new closet staple, one-of-a-kind mug, or living room conversation piece.
Your loyalty program promotions should fuel that excitement by encouraging return visits and giving shoppers just enough incentive to stay a little longer, dig a little deeper, and fill their baskets a bit more.
1. First Dibs or Early Access
Few things excite thrift shoppers more than being the first to spot a hidden gem. Reward your most loyal members with exclusive early access to new arrivals, restocked inventory, or special "pre-shop" hours before major sales or donation drops.
Bonus ideas:
- Send email or SMS alerts to notify members when fresh stock hits the floor
- Offer a “First Look Friday” where top-tier members can browse an hour before opening
This VIP-style perk adds a sense of exclusivity, making your loyalty program feel more valuable—while giving your best customers a true insider experience.
2. Discounts for Donations
Thrift stores need donations to keep their inventory stocked and interesting. So why not encourage your customers to donate by offering a little reward?
Turn generosity into a win-win with a “give-to-get” program. A promotion such as “Donate 3 or more items and receive 15% off your next purchase” will help boost donations. On top of that, it gives people an incentive to come back and browse.
3. Category-Based Discounts
Keep your promotions fresh and your customers curious by rotating discounts on different product categories weekly or monthly. This strategy not only encourages shoppers to explore more of your store and discover new treasures but also helps you strategically clear out inventory in categories that need to be moved.
Here are some category-based discounts to try:
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30% off summer apparel all June: Seasonal promotions not only help clear off-season inventory but can also be used to make room for summer donations that often come in after spring cleaning.
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$1 book Wednesdays: Boost foot traffic midweek while clearing out older book inventory to make room for new donations.
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15% off yellow and red tag items: Offering colour-coded discounts is a great way to move older stock and make space for new arrivals.
By spotlighting different categories regularly, you create a dynamic shopping experience that keeps customers engaged and excited—while helping to efficiently manage inventory and make room for new donations.
4. Tiered Discounts
One of the smartest ways to grow revenue through your loyalty program is by encouraging higher basket sizes—and tiered discounts are a great way to do that. By offering increasing rewards based on how much a customer spends, you incentivize shoppers to add more to their carts and increase their perceived value.
Example:
- Spend $20, get 20% off
- Spend $30, get 25% off
- Spend $40, get 30% off
Tiered discounts are especially effective when powered by loyalty analytics. Using DataCandy’s dashboard, you can view key insights like how average member spend changes over time. If you notice that most loyalty members typically spend around $22 per visit, you could set your first reward tier at $25 to increase that higher spend.
You can also experiment with tiers seasonally, test different thresholds at different locations, and monitor results using built-in reports. It’s data-driven growth with real impact.
5. Points for a Purpose
Loyalty programs don’t have to revolve around purchases alone—especially in the thrift space, where community and impact matter. “Points for Purpose” lets your shoppers earn rewards for actions that align with your mission, such as:
- Donating gently used items
- Volunteering time at your store or events
- Referring friends to shop or donate
This approach encourages meaningful engagement beyond the checkout counter and builds a stronger emotional connection with your store. It turns everyday actions into something customers feel good about—and get rewarded for.
6. Birthday Rewards
Nothing gets people more excited for their special day than a reward from their favourite loyalty program (author’s note: birthday perks are what gets me out of bed at 8AM on my birthday).
Celebrate your customers by sending a birthday perk, like:
- $10 off a $25+ purchase
- A free tote or accessory
- Double points on their birthday week
It’s a simple way to show appreciation and keep your store top of mind.
Final Thoughts: Building Loyalty, One Treasure at a Time
Thrift shopping is about community, discovery, and sustainability—and a great loyalty program captures that spirit. By rewarding frequent visits, donations, and engagement, thrift stores can turn casual shoppers into loyal fans who keep coming back.
With easy sign-up options, meaningful rewards, and smart use of data, you can build a program that grows sales and strengthens your community. Just look at Mission Thrift’s impressive results—loyalty done right makes all the difference.
Learn how America’s Thrift Store boosted customer engagement and grew sales with DataCandy.
