Online transactions between two private end users to sell or purchase goods are known as consumer-to-consumer or C2C e-commerce. C2C activities are carried out via online marketplaces such as eBay, Etsy, or Taobao, as well as auction websites and forums such as Craigslist. These platforms allow consumers to sell and resell new goods and preowned items.
The switch towards mobile in recent years has ushered in shopping platforms encouraging consumers to sell to and purchase from other consumers without setting up a business or turning to a third party. On the app front, C2C e-commerce is especially favorable for the fashion industry and popular with younger generations. An example of this trend is the social shopping app Depop, which enables millions of sellers and resellers to set up a store and connect with consumers.
Most visited online marketplaces worldwide as of April 2023, by monthly traffic (in million visits)
Further details: Visit original statistic Most visited online marketplaces worldwide as of April 2023, by monthly traffic (in million visits)
Consumer-to-consumer e-commerce is a smaller segment within the larger e-commerce market, with fewer players than the B2C e-commerce giants. As in the other segments of the market, both websites and apps that allow C2C transactions are widely used for selling and buying goods. In April 2023, eBay welcomed more than 1.2 billion visitors to its renowned buy/sell marketplace.
Second hand e-commerce in the United StatesDistribution of online purchases worldwide as of April 2024, by channel
Further details: Visit original statistic Distribution of online purchases worldwide as of April 2024, by channel
The consumer-to-consumer segment of the e-commerce market frequently overlaps with online marketplaces, which facilitate both B2C and C2C selling via a third-party platform. Among all available e-commerce channels, consumers turn to online marketplaces the most often. More than a third of all online purchases worldwide were made through online marketplaces in 2023. In contrast, individual retailer websites or apps accounted for only 14 percent of online purchases.
Online marketplacesMost popular fashion and apparel websites in France in December 2023, based on share of visits
Further details: Visit original statistic Most popular fashion and apparel websites in France in December 2023, based on share of visits
With the intermediaries eliminated, consumer-to-consumer commerce platforms and websites allow for the utmost flexibility and control for those who like to buy or sell goods and services. In recent years, the most popular C2C platforms were those specializing in selling or reselling fashion items. The online marketplace for secondhand fashion, Vinted, was France's most visited fashion and apparel website in 2023, overtaking industry giant Zalando.
Second-hand apparel market in FranceNumber of eBay's total active buyers from 1st quarter 2010 to 3rd quarter 2024 (in millions)
Further details: Visit original statistic Number of eBay's total active buyers from 1st quarter 2010 to 3rd quarter 2024 (in millions)
C2C e-commerce is gaining more traction thanks to the expanding landscape of available platforms. eBay, which has been around since the early years of the internet, is currently one of the biggest C2C and B2C e-commerce platforms, with about 130 million active buyers worldwide as of 2023. eBay started as an auctioning website where consumers could list and bid on goods. In its 30 years of existence, eBay's business model has remained largely loyal to the original.
eBay
C2C e-commerce refers to online transactions conducted between two private consumers via online marketplaces, auction websites, or classified advertisements without the involvement of a third party. Statista's content on C2C e-commerce provides information on the leading global C2C e-commerce platforms and the usage of C2C e-commerce websites and mobile apps among online consumers worldwide.
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