Savers Thrift Stores

Savers, also known as Value Village in many regions, is a major international thrift store chain that operates on a for-profit business model. Founded in 1954 by Bill Ellison in San Francisco, California, the company moved its headquarters to Bellevue, Washington, in 1970. The brand's unique business model involves purchasing donated clothing and household items from local non-profit organizations at a bulk rate, providing these charities with a steady source of income regardless of whether the items are eventually sold in-store.

Over the decades, the company has expanded its footprint across the United States, Canada (under the names Value Village and Village des Valeurs), and Australia. As a retail and recycling powerhouse, Savers processes millions of pounds of used goods annually, aiming to keep items out of the waste stream through resale and global recycling partnerships. The brand has transitioned through various private equity ownerships and became a publicly traded company on the New York Stock Exchange in 2023.

Today, the brand is a significant player in the circular economy, though it has faced scrutiny regarding transparency over its for-profit status versus its charitable partnerships. Despite these challenges, it remains one of the largest pre-owned merchandise retailers in the world, now primarily controlled by the global investment firm Ares Management.