The 2025 Recommerce Report by OfferUp in partnership with data analytics firm GlobalData, sheds light on the expansive nature of the secondhand economy, which extends beyond apparel to include furniture, sporting goods, and more.
Its findings are based on a survey of 1,500 US adults by online market research provider Pollfish with a focus on recommerce buying and selling behaviours.
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Despite apparel being a focal point in discussions around resale, it only accounts for 25% of the market within a $200bn-plus multi-category US recommerce economy.
The study indicates a permanent shift in consumer behaviour, with the recommerce market expected to grow by 34% by the end of this decade, reaching an estimated value of $306.5bn. This growth trajectory suggests that resale will represent 8% of total retail spending, thereby cementing its role in the broader retail sector.
The appeal of secondhand shopping has been attributed to factors such as cost-effectiveness, digital convenience, and evolving cultural values. Local transactions also contribute significantly, offering consumers easy access to desired items within their vicinity.
According to the study, the trend of participating in the secondhand market is on the rise. Almost one in five US consumers, or 19%, made their first-ever purchase of a used item this year, while 22% have sold something used for the first time.
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By GlobalDataThe report says acceptance of secondhand goods is growing as it becomes easier, more convenient, and more socially acceptable. This is supported by the finding that 70% of Americans reported negative perceptions of secondhand shopping have diminished over the past year.
The study claims that this change in attitude is fueled by an increased emphasis on sustainability and waste reduction and the trend of sharing finds from secondhand sources with friends and family. It also attributes the shift to the convenience offered by apps for browsing, purchasing, and selling items, as indicated by 49%.
In light of economic challenges, 69% of US shoppers are more inclined to buy or sell secondhand items.
The data reveals that 79% of buyers acknowledge that their primary motivation for shopping secondhand is to economise, driven by the pursuit of lower prices or as a strategy to counteract inflation and tariffs.
However, financial savings are not the sole incentive.
A significant proportion of consumers (54%), are drawn to the resale market in search of distinctive or singular items.
Additionally, 34% of shoppers express a preference for acquiring high-quality or premium brands at reduced costs through secondhand channels.
OfferUp CEO Todd Dunlap said: “In 2025, a remarkable 93% of Americans bought something secondhand, and more than half sold an item themselves. Beyond impressive stats, these participation rates signal a lasting shift in how we shop, save, and support our communities. Secondhand is now mainstream.
“People are choosing resale to stretch budgets, shop more sustainably, and make real local connections that one-click retail can’t deliver.”
Coming to the seller side, the recommerce sector has emerged as a substantial source of revenue. The report found that 57% of respondents rely on income from secondhand sales to manage bills and daily living costs.
Meanwhile, 38% allocate their earnings from such sales towards indulgences for themselves or family members.
A further 28% are forward-thinking, opting to save their proceeds from secondhand transactions for future aspirations or significant life events.
Gen Z shapes the trajectory of recommerce growth
Gen Z is at the forefront of recommerce’s growth, according to OfferUp’s study.
In the past year, 49% of Gen Z consumers sold a pre-owned item for the first time, highlighting a trend towards more sustainable shopping practices. On the purchasing front, 54% of this demographic prefer secondhand options when available, surpassing Millennials at 44%.
The resale market is providing tangible financial benefits for Gen Z, with one-third of these young sellers earning between $301 and $500 from their secondhand transactions.
Despite their digital proficiency, Gen Z also values the local and personal aspect of resale. A significant 75% enjoy in-person meetings to finalise their transactions, showing a preference for purchasing from local sellers rather than national brands.
The report underscores the importance of local commerce in strengthening communities as 62% of shoppers opted to buy and sell locally to bolster their local economies and find better deals.
