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

What do they call op shops in America? Thrift stores (or thrift shops). Americans rarely say “op shop”; that term is Australian and New Zealand English. If you op shop at home and travel to the US, search for “thrift store” on maps and street signs.

The model is the same: donated goods are sorted, priced and sold to raise money. This guide compares American terms with Australian op shops.

Thrift store is the main American term

“Thrift store” in the US covers both charity-run shops and for-profit second-hand stores. Well-known charity examples include Goodwill and Salvation Army Family Stores.

In Australia, “op shop” usually means a charity store specifically. The American term is broader. So if an American friend says they’re going thrifting, they might mean a commercial reseller, not only a charity. For how op shops work here, see how op shops work.

That’s why Australians visiting the US get confused by boutique “thrift” shops with retail-adjacent prices. Ask whether a place takes donations for a charity mission, or whether it’s a private reseller buying stock to flip.

American vs Australian terms compared

Don’t expect US locals to understand “op shop” without a quick explanation. Use “thrift store” and you’ll be understood immediately. If you want charity-only results, add Goodwill, Salvation Army or St Vincent de Paul to the search so boutique resellers drop out of the map pins.

Other terms used in the US

You’ll also hear a few variants that show up on signs and Google results:

• Thrift shop – interchangeable with thrift store.
• Second-hand store or used clothing store – generic; charity or for-profit.
• Resale shop – sometimes used for higher-end second-hand boutiques.

When you want the Australian op shop experience in America, search “thrift store” plus your city or suburb. Add “Goodwill” or “Salvation Army” if you want charity-specific results and fewer vintage boutiques. Apps and influencer lists lean commercial; chain locators stay closer to the charity model you know from home.

Op shop vs thrift store: same idea, different names

An Australian op shop and an American charity thrift store take donations, sell at low prices, and fund community programs. The habits transfer: check quality, wash before you wear, visit often for new stock.

If you know how to op shop in Australia, you already know how to thrift in the US. Check quality, wash before you wear, and learn each store’s sale-day pattern. Compare terms in other regions: called in England and the UK and called in Australia.

American thrift culture vs Australian op shops

US Goodwill colour-tag discount days resemble Australian colour-tag sales, but American stores more commonly use half-off specific tag colours on set weekdays. Australian charities more commonly run flat half-price clothing days or fill-a-bag events advertised on Facebook.

Tipping and sales tax differ too: US thrift prices exclude tax at the register in many states; Australian op shop tags include GST where applicable. Budget an extra 10% only if you’re buying from commercial vintage sellers with GST registration, not typical charity racks. But the core skill is the same: inspect, compare, and don’t buy junk just because it’s cheap.

Australian terms Americans hear down under

Visitors from the US quickly learn that “op shops” covers Vinnies, Salvos, Lifeline and independent charity stores. “Thrift store” is understood but sounds American in casual conversation. “Vintage shop” in Australia commonly means a commercial reseller, not a charity, though some charity boutiques blur the line.

Salvation Army thrift in the US parallels Salvos Stores here, but branding and pricing differ. Good Sammy in WA is charity-run like US Goodwill yet uses its own name. If an American friend asks where to shop second-hand in Melbourne or Sydney, send them to King Street Newtown or the Salvos store locator, not a search for “thrift” alone, which can surface expensive vintage dealers.

Americans searching “op shop” usually mean an Australian or New Zealand charity store. In the US, say thrift store or Goodwill-style charity shop to be understood. Browse Australian stores via our locations directory.

Frequently Asked Questions