Business phone system for used merchandise stores in Minnesota

Used merchandise stores in Minnesota by the numbers

Minnesota had 359 used merchandise stores in 2023, according to Census County Business Patterns (NAICS 453310, Used Merchandise Stores). They employed 4,439 people in mid-March and reported $100.6 million in annual payroll. That is the 20th highest count among the 51 states and DC with published figures. Used merchandise stores make up 0.23% of the 154,455 business establishments in the state.

Per 100,000 residents (2024 estimate) Minnesota has 6.2 used merchandise stores, 8.3% above the national rate of 5.7. The average establishment has 12.4 employees against 11.4 nationally. Payroll per employee is $22,655, 7.6% below the U.S. figure of $24,523.

Minnesota's largest markets for used merchandise stores

Census published used merchandise store counts for 15 metro or micropolitan areas that include part of Minnesota. The largest is Minneapolis, MN-WI, with 225 establishments (a multi-state area; its count covers every state it spans). Single-state metro and micropolitan areas account for 18% of the statewide total; the rest are outside any published area or in areas Census suppressed.

Team sizes at used merchandise stores in Minnesota

39.8% of Minnesota's used merchandise stores with employees had fewer than five people in March 2023, compared with 43.2% nationally. 61.3% had fewer than ten. At that size the phone is shared, so routing (who rings, when, and what happens after hours) matters more than the number of desk phones.

What used merchandise stores in Minnesota use the phone for

Thrift, consignment and resale stores take calls about donations, consignment terms and stock. Consignors call to check on their items.

Calls a used merchandise store in Minnesota might handle in a typical week include:

• The store calls a consignor about payout.
• A customer calls about donation drop-off hours.
• A customer calls about pickup service.

What used merchandise stores text about

Stores text consignor updates.

Texting from a local number in Minnesota requires carrier registration (10DLC), a one-time $49 fee on Callata.

What a phone system costs a used merchandise store in Minnesota

Used merchandise stores in Minnesota average 12.4 employees, so the comparison uses a 12-person team. On a per-user plan that headcount sets the bill: $299.40 a month on Ooma Office Pro or $360.00 on RingCentral RingEX Core at list price (checked September 28, 2026). Callata comes to $239.00 a month for 12 users ($99 a month with 5 users included, then $20 per additional user), below both.

Over a year, that is $1,452 less than RingCentral for a used merchandise store in Minnesota of that size. Annual contracts lower some competitors' prices, so compare the plan you would actually sign.

Area codes in Minnesota

Minnesota has 8 geographic area codes in service according to NANPA. Callata includes up to 3 local numbers, so a used merchandise store can hold a number in more than one of them.

How Callata works for used merchandise stores in Minnesota

For $99 a month, Callata puts a team of up to 5 on one plan ($20 for each person after that): up to 3 local numbers, unlimited inbound calls, a pooled allowance of 1,500 outbound US and Canada minutes per user, browser and cell calling, voicemail transcription with urgency triage, recorded calls with AI summaries and business-hours routing, with E911 on every number.

Porting a number you already use in Minnesota is free, and business texting is available once the carrier registration (10DLC) is approved; the registration carries a one-time $49 fee. Which specific numbers are open in a given area code depends on carrier inventory at the time you sign up.

AI agents are optional: an AI receptionist or scheduler can pick up when the team is busy or closed, take a message, send a text or email, or transfer the call. They draw on prepaid AI minutes ($0.25/minute), disclose that they are AI, and outbound AI calls require prior consent and are limited to 8am–9pm.