OfferUp’s 2026 Recommerce Report: Holiday Special Release, based on a survey of 1,500 US adults in October, found that 80% expect to purchase at least some holiday gifts second-hand this year, a figure virtually unchanged from last year’s 81%.
Over a third of respondents (37%) plan to increase their second-hand gift buying compared to the last holiday season.
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Financial considerations remain central to these decisions. The survey revealed that 77% of Americans are at least somewhat concerned about rising holiday prices, while 71% cited economic or financial worries such as inflation and tariffs as influencing their second-hand buying and selling over the past year.
Nearly half, or 44%, anticipate taking on credit card debt for seasonal purchases, and among these, a majority expect it will take at least three months to pay off.
The report also revealed that shoppers are looking for new ways to stretch their budgets, with 78% of respondents saying they would consider second-hand marketplaces to avoid debt or overspending.
Many are also planning to fund their holiday spending by reselling items they already own, with 42% expressing intentions to sell or consider selling gifts from previous years.
Pricing, however, is only one aspect drawing consumers to second-hand platforms. When faced with higher-than-expected gift costs, 51% said they would look for the exact item at a lower price second-hand, compared to 45% who would wait for a retail sale and 32% who might opt for a less expensive gift.
The appeal is particularly strong for those seeking higher-quality or discontinued items, with 49% of Americans saying these factors would increase their likelihood of buying second-hand.
OfferUp’s report, conducted by Pollfish, also found that issues around availability are another driver. 81% said they would consider second-hand options if a particular gift was sold out at a retailer.
As the holidays approach, and concerns about shipping times increase, three in four respondents are likely to seek out local second-hand sellers if online orders cannot arrive on time.
The most popular categories for second-hand gift shopping this season are clothing and accessories, accounting for 47%, followed by collectables and vintage items at 38%.
Second-hand marketplaces are also featuring more prominently during major shopping events. The survey found that 62% of Americans plan to check second-hand sources for items promoted during Black Friday or Cyber Monday.
Meanwhile, 66% expressed interest in seeing second-hand recommendations included in AI-powered gift searches, with younger consumers showing particular enthusiasm for this feature.
OfferUp’s findings suggest that the role of second-hand shopping in holiday gift-buying has become more established and may continue to shape American retail behaviour as economic pressures persist.
