What Do They Call Op Shops in America? (2026)

In the United States, the same type of store—a charity or non-profit selling donated second-hand goods—is usually called a thrift store. Americans rarely say “op shop”; that term is Australian. So if you are used to op shopping in Australia and travel to the US, look for “thrift store” on signs and in search results.

The idea is the same: donated items are sorted, priced, and sold to raise money. The main difference is the name. This guide sums up the American terms and how they line up with the Australian op shop.

Thrift store is the main American term

“Thrift store” in the US can mean both charity-run shops and for-profit second-hand stores. Well-known charity examples include Goodwill and Salvation Army Family Stores. So in America, “thrift store” covers a slightly wider range than “op shop” in Australia, where “op shop” usually means a charity shop.

In Australia, op shops are the local version of this model. For how they work here, see how op shops work.

Other terms used in the US

Americans also use:

• Thrift shop – same idea as thrift store; the words are used interchangeably.
• Second-hand store or used clothing store – generic; can be charity or for-profit.
• Consignment store – a different model: the store sells items on behalf of the owner and splits the sale. Not the same as a donation-based op shop or thrift store.

So when you are in America and want the equivalent of an Australian op shop, “thrift store” is the term to use and to search for.

Op shop vs thrift store: same idea, different names

An Australian op shop and an American thrift store (when it is run by a charity) do the same job: they take donations, sell them at low prices, and use the money for their cause. The difference is mainly language. If you know how to op shop in Australia, the same habits—checking quality, washing before you wear, visiting often for new stock—apply when you thrift in the US.