The research, conducted by Full Cycle Resource Consulting for Garson & Shaw, examines how these garments enter the country and reach local consumers through an organised network that manages sorting, grading, and retail distribution.
Analysing data from 21.8 million items, the study found that 99.56% of second-hand garments were sold for under $15, with $3 emerging as the most common price tag.
Go deeper with GlobalData
Discover B2B Marketing That Performs
Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.
At the lowest pricing tier, outlets offer garments for as little as $0.15 to $0.33 per item, making these goods accessible even to the most price-sensitive customers.
The report notes that, amidst inflation levels reaching 7.25% after the pandemic and a workforce where about 65% is in the informal sector, reliance on second-hand clothing has become an enduring solution for many families rather than a temporary fix.
Compared to new clothing imports, which had an average border price of $8.77 per kilogram, used clothing provides a more affordable alternative, costing about a quarter as much.
This price gap highlights the significant role that second-hand apparel plays in meeting everyday clothing needs for Salvadoran households.
The study describes a highly organised sector in which businesses not only manage their own sorting facilities but also run multi-tiered retail operations across the country.
A two-stage grading process determines garment quality and value, while structured markdown cycles, often running eight to 12 weeks, ensure that remaining stock moves through different pricing tiers.
This approach, researchers note, dismantles the perception of a fragmented market in favour of one characterised by vertical integration and systematic price management.
Regional pricing variations reflected wider social and economic trends. The average price per item was higher in the Central region, where urbanisation and formal employment are more common, and lower in the rural West, which faces different economic conditions.
Dependence on the US as a supply source remains strong, with between 96% and 99% of El Salvador’s used clothing imports originating there.
This reliance means that the Salvadoran second-hand market is directly affected by any disruption in US collection and export flows, whether due to policy changes or other external issues.
Garson & Shaw CEO Lisa Jepsen said: “Reuse markets like El Salvador’s are not a side story in textile circularity; they are its foundation. This study shows a sector built around meeting consumer demand responsibly, with clear grading for quality, pricing that keeps clothing within reach, and distribution that reflects local purchasing power.”
