San Francisco’s Gap launches Old Navy resale partnership with ThredUp

Gap Inc. is expanding its involvement in the secondhand clothing market through Old Navy, launching a new online resale program in partnership with ThredUp that will be available to customers in the San Francisco Bay Area and across the United States.

The Old Navy x ThredUp initiative allows shoppers to buy used Old Navy clothing and accessories on a dedicated section of ThredUp’s website. Customers can also send in gently used items from Old Navy and other brands using a prepaid “Clean Out Kit” provided by ThredUp. If accepted, those items can earn the sender Old Navy shopping credit.

According to the companies, the program is designed to make it easier for families to access lower cost apparel while keeping more clothing out of landfills. Old Navy, which is owned by San Francisco based Gap Inc., is positioning the move as an extension of its focus on value and affordability, while ThredUp is seeking to grow its role as a resale partner to major retailers.

The partnership builds on Gap Inc.’s existing relationship with ThredUp. The parent company previously worked with the resale platform through other brands in its portfolio. The Old Navy program is presented as a way to bring that model to what the companies describe as a broader, price sensitive audience.

Under the arrangement, customers can visit a dedicated Old Navy branded page on ThredUp’s site to shop secondhand Old Navy items curated by the resale company. ThredUp will handle the listing, quality control, pricing, and shipping of the resale inventory. The source does not specify how many items are currently available or how often new inventory will be added.

Consumers who want to resell clothing can request a ThredUp Clean Out Kit online. The kit includes a prepaid shipping label for sending in used apparel and accessories. ThredUp then inspects the items and decides which pieces meet its quality standards for resale. Items that are accepted for sale on the platform can generate Old Navy credit for the sender. The companies have not disclosed specific payout rates, minimum values, or how long it takes for credits to appear.

The program reinforces a broader shift in the apparel sector toward resale and circular business models as traditional retailers look for new revenue streams and ways to respond to customer demand for cheaper options and reduced waste. For Bay Area shoppers, where Gap Inc. is headquartered and where resale services are already common, the move adds another channel for buying and selling used clothing from a major national brand.

According to the information provided, Old Navy and ThredUp are pitching the partnership as a way to help families save money on clothing, particularly as many households look for budget friendly options. The companies also frame the initiative as supportive of sustainability goals by extending the life of garments that might otherwise be discarded. The source does not provide independent verification of the environmental impact of the program.

Gap Inc.’s decision to expand its work with ThredUp through Old Navy comes at a time when large retailers are experimenting with different formats for recommerce, including in house resale sections, third party marketplaces, and trade in programs. ThredUp has positioned itself as a white label partner that can run back end resale operations for brands, including logistics, technology, and customer service.

The announcement does not include financial details of the agreement between Old Navy and ThredUp, such as revenue sharing terms, contract length, or performance targets. It also does not specify whether Old Navy plans to promote the resale program in its physical stores in San Francisco or elsewhere, or if the initiative will remain primarily online.

The companies say the resale assortment will feature a range of Old Navy categories, including clothing for adults and children. The exact mix of products, sizes, and styles will depend on what sellers send in and what ThredUp accepts. Availability may vary by day and region, as is typical with secondhand marketplaces.

Consumers who earn Old Navy credit through the program can use it to purchase new items from Old Navy. The source text indicates that this structure is intended to drive traffic back to Old Navy’s main business while giving customers an incentive to participate in resale. The article does not state whether the credits can be combined with other promotions or how long they remain valid.

Gap Inc. is one of the most visible retail employers and corporate presences in San Francisco, and its moves are closely watched in the Bay Area’s business community. The Old Navy resale program with ThredUp reflects how a legacy apparel company is testing new models at a time of changing consumer behavior and ongoing pressure on traditional retail margins.

It is not yet clear how much volume Old Navy expects to move through the ThredUp partnership or how the company will measure its success. The source does not provide early performance data, pilot results, or customer adoption figures. There is also no information on whether Gap Inc. plans to extend similar programs to its other brands beyond what already exists.

For now, Bay Area residents who already use ThredUp will see Old Navy branding and inventory more prominently on the platform, while Old Navy customers who are new to resale will have a formal channel to buy and sell used items tied to the brand. The companies are presenting the arrangement as a way to blend traditional retail with a growing secondary market for clothing, though any long term impact on Gap Inc.’s core business or on overall clothing waste is not yet known based on the available information.