The research, conducted by the Centre for Economics Business Research (CEBR), surveyed 10,000 adults across Europe.
It indicates that more than half of Britons or 54% have purchased secondhand clothing online in 2024, positioning fashion as the leading category in the secondhand shopping sector.
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Following clothing, 26% of consumers bought pre-owned smartphones/tablets, and 24% opted for small household appliances.
Over the past five years, the average monthly expenditure on secondhand items among UK shoppers has seen a significant increase of 113%, rising from £58.40 to £124.80, the report stated.
The shift towards pre-owned products is attributed to three main factors: financial constraints due to cost-of-living (31%), a broader range of available products (26%), and heightened environmental consciousness (25%).
The demographic breakdown of the market shows a clear trend towards younger generations with 74% of individuals aged 34 or below reported to engage in secondhand shopping compared to 52% among those over 55 years old.
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By GlobalDataCEBR forecasts continued growth in this sector with projections indicating an increase to £4.8bn in the UK for 2025.
The secondhand market encompasses used items, ‘open-box’ products, and refurbished goods that have undergone inspection, cleaning, and necessary repairs to be restored to near-new condition.
In 2024 alone, this market kept over 199m products in circulation within the UK.
The report also highlights that UK consumers saved a total of £5.6bn in 2024 by choosing secondhand goods.
Amazon UK country manager John Boumphrey said: “At Amazon, we believe that putting returned items back on sale isn’t just good for the planet and for business – it’s what our customers want.
“Our Second Chance sales in the UK and across Europe, including from Amazon Resale and Amazon Renewed, exceeded €2bn ($2.34bn) in 2024, as we have expanded our used product selection. It’s clear that providing trustworthy, convenient access to quality, pre-owned items is resonating with today’s more conscious customers.”
Despite its success, the report said the secondhand market faces challenges such as concerns over product condition (43%), absence of warranties (39%), and trustworthiness of sellers (29%).
Amazon returns and repairs head Sam Littlejohn said: “Britons are turning to secondhand shopping in large numbers, but to supercharge the sector’s growth, customers need to trust buying a used product as much as buying new.
“The Amazon Resale team works hands-on to inspect and refurbish every item, delivering a reliable experience backed by Amazon’s customer service and return policies.”
Data from a BRC-Opinium survey released last week confirms clothing is the dominant category within the UK’s secondhand market in 2025. Despite a slight decrease from 45% in 2024 to 43% in 2025, adult clothing remains the most frequently bought and sold secondhand item category.
