eCommerce Trends: The rise of second-hand shoppers

With 2023 upon us, we're sure it's going to be another big year full of eCommerce trends and developments. As always, being the eCommerce fanatics that we are, the pandas will be here to discuss all of the happenings in the industry!

Recently, we covered what impact the cost of living crisis might have on eCommerce. During another read of the latest news, we saw one trend that is definitely growing from this...the rise of second-hand shoppers!

The second-hand and thrift market has always had a quiet following. Finding unique clothing or items can be quite an interesting hobby. Now, however, it is growing as more people look to cut costs.

Why is the second-hand movement growing?

In the past, the idea of second-hand shopping welcomed thoughts around the traditional car boot sale or 'hand me down' culture. It is safe to say this is no longer the case. According to OC&C, second-hand goods currently represent a £150 billion global market!

The latest data from a GWI survey explores this trend. While a quarter of UK consumers sold an item themselves, 31% also bought a second-hand item online. 32% stated that they looked to buy second-hand to save on costs.

The cost of living crisis is not the only reason attitudes towards second-hand buying and selling have changed. The study also showed that 27% of consumers have researched or purchased second-hand products to lower environmental impact. Sustainability matters to eCommerce customers, so this is not surprising to see.

Popular items and companies in the second-hand market

With more people realising their products are wasting away in the wardrobe or the loft, an entrepreneurial spirit is evident in this market. We wanted to see what products are the best sellers and what companies/apps are leading the way!

Clothing is a big seller, while entertainment (film & music) follows closely behind. Home and furniture products were in third place. For those looking to sell themselves, clothing once again leads the way. Collectibles are also a big pull, with many people selling trading cards and other unique items.

In a recent Which survey, the most popular companies for buying and selling became apparent.  Vinted was in the top spot, with a customer score of 75% and a five-star 'ease of contacting seller' score. Facebook Marketplace was in second place, with Gumtree in a close third. You can view the full score table from Which to see the highs and lows of second-hand shopping! 

Stay tuned for more eCommerce insights

The year is young, so there will be plenty more to discuss this year...especially the findings from our 2023 eCommerce salary survey questionnaire! This will be full of brand-new insights, so keep an eye out for the launch of the report!