eBay’s new Recommerce Report has found that the UK is leading a global movement to second-hand shopping, with pre-loved fashion representing a shift among Gen Z and Millennials.
Following this announcement, eBay’s fifth annual Recommerce Report, which polled 27.000 consumers and eBay sellers around the world on their pre-loved shopping perceptions and behaviours, found the UK is at the heart of a cultural shift in the manner in which people shop.
Included in the key findings is that the early half (46%) of UK consumers buy pre-loved goods at least once a month (representing the highest than any other market surveyed), 92% of UK respondents plan to maintain or increase their spending on pre-loved items, while the process of saving money is one of the top three reasons UK consumers buy pre-loved goods, with 79% citing it as a key motivation. Furthermore, sustainability and environmental benefits also rank high at 47%, showing that individuals are increasingly driven by both practical and purposeful reasons, while globally, Gen Z and Millennials are set to focus on driving recommerce forward, with 59% of Gen Z and 56% of Millennials planning to increase their spending on pre-loved goods this year.
eBay’s fifth annual Recommerce Report insights
According to the official press release, with the cost of living squeezing household budgets, customers are increasingly savvy about finding value without compromising on quality or conscience, with 81% of clients feeling good about having saved money on their pre-loved purchases, while 86% of eBay sellers source inventory from their own belongings, transforming items they already own into income. At the same time, while pre-loved fashion is an established go-to for those looking to shop smart, sustainably, and with an optimised style, with 72% of consumers purchasing clothes, refurbished tech is currently emerging as an additional growth engine for sustainable shopping.
Moreover, more than a third (35%) of UK users are now purchasing pre-loved tech, making it one of the top three recommerce categories after fashion and books. In addition, through the process of choosing refurbished over new, shoppers will have the possibility to save up to 50% on everyday technology and fashion from trusted brands while contributing to a more circular economy.
