Savers Value Village has introduced ThriftIQ, an artificial intelligence platform designed to streamline and standardize pricing decisions across its apparel inventory. The tool was developed in collaboration with data science consulting firm Kaizen Analytix using proprietary datasets accumulated by Savers over the preceding two years. According to the company, ThriftIQ has already been implemented in 58 pilot locations and has priced more than 25 million items, with that figure expected to double by the end of the year.
The company operates 375 stores and processes over 1 billion pounds of reusable goods annually. CEO Mark Walsh emphasized that ThriftIQ is not a dynamic pricing system and that once items are priced and tagged, the pricing remains fixed. The platform aims to deliver more predictable pricing for customers while maintaining average prices at or below current levels, keeping them approximately 40 to 70 percent lower than traditional retail. Walsh also clarified that the tool is intended to enhance worker productivity rather than eliminate positions.
Savers plans to expand deployment of ThriftIQ across additional U.S. and Canadian locations through early 2028. The launch reflects the company’s broader modernization efforts and comes amid growing consumer interest in secondhand retail. Chief Financial Officer Michael Maher attributed this momentum to macroeconomic factors including inflation and consumer price sensitivity, while noting that thrift retail has increasingly become mainstream across various demographic segments.
Financially, Savers reported strong results, with total net sales reaching $448.2 million in the second quarter, representing a 7.4 percent increase. Comparable store sales grew 4.4 percent. The company reported net income of $21.6 million, or 14 cents per share, compared to $18.9 million, or 12 cents per share, in the prior-year period. The company achieved its third consecutive quarter of year-over-year earnings growth and incorporated ThriftIQ’s impact into updated 2026 guidance, projecting a return to high-teens adjusted EBITDA margins within the next three years.
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