Experts Say January Is One of the Best Times to Go Thrifting — Here’s Why

January, 2026

The start of a new year isn’t just about fresh goals and clean slates — it’s also one of the best times of the year to thrift shop and donate! After the holidays, many people take time to declutter their homes, clear out closets, and make space for what’s next. That means your local Goodwill stores are filling up with amazing finds just in time for January!

Here’s why January is a thrift lover’s dream:

• Post-holiday purges mean more inventory. As families unpack holiday gifts and reassess what they use, a lot of gently used clothing, accessories, household items, and even items with tags still attached get donated — creating fresh stock for shoppers.

• New year, new opportunity to find treasures. Experts in thrifting note that the period right after the holidays is one of the top seasons to score great secondhand items because many folks are streamlining and simplifying their homes.

• Donations help our community. When you bring in items you no longer need — clothes, shoes, décor, winter gear — not only do you open up space in your own home, you also support Goodwill’s mission to create job training and employment opportunities right here in South Mississippi. (And don’t forget: donation receipts may help with taxes, too!)

• Thrift vehicles keep rolling. Thrift stores generally restock year-round, but January’s wave of new donations makes early in the year especially rich for finding quality items before anyone else does.

Whether you’re hoping to find a wardrobe staple at a great price or give back by donating items that can be reused, now through the end of winter is a prime time to hit up Goodwill South Mississippi and see what’s new on the racks.

Stop in at your neighborhood Goodwill location — you never know what treasures are waiting just for you!