Second-hand e-commerce in the United States - statistics & facts
Buying newly made commodities online is an exciting prospect for shoppers looking to satisfy their needs and wants, but what about used goods that go from one home to another? Second-hand e-commerce has become an increasingly profitable market that benefits brands, sellers, and buyers in a variety of ways that reflect the massive growth of e-commerce as an industry, rising living costs, and sustainability alike. In the United States, online second-hand shopping is expected to reach a total volume of nearly 90 billion U.S. dollars in 2024.
Depop, Poshmark, thredUP, StockX, and The RealReal are all popular platforms that U.S. shoppers can visit specifically in order to find second-hand apparel. Additionally, the number of regular retailers that have adopted resale programs as a part of their services has increased significantly since 2018, going from a mere four to over 150 in 2024. With nearly one-third of U.S. shoppers interested in or having already purchased clothing from online second-hand shops in 2023, it’s clear that there hasn’t been a better time to buy and sell second-hand apparel online than now.
The biggest players in recommerce
It is nearly impossible to talk about online second-hand shopping in the U.S. without any mention of industry leader eBay. Founded in 1995 and headquartered in San Jose, California, the company was a pioneer in the online shopping sphere, creating a marketplace on the internet that connects sellers and buyers of a massive variety of goods – mostly including but not limited to secondhand and used goods. Besides eBay however, other brands also stand out within the U.S. recommerce industry. Companies like OfferUp and Craigslist also serve as online markets for sellers and buyers looking to get their hands on rare, vintage, or just cheaper items overall.The second-hand apparel craze
Another relevant point of interest when it comes to second-hand e-commerce is pre-owned apparel. On the aforementioned platforms – eBay, OfferUp, and Craigslist – it’s entirely possible to purchase second-hand clothing from sellers when looking for it. On eBay, clothing was one of the most purchased recommerce categories on the site, just behind consumer electronics by share of gross merchandise volume. However, there are a plethora of other C2C (consumer-to-consumer) platforms that specialize in selling apparel, bags, and accessories besides eBay.Depop, Poshmark, thredUP, StockX, and The RealReal are all popular platforms that U.S. shoppers can visit specifically in order to find second-hand apparel. Additionally, the number of regular retailers that have adopted resale programs as a part of their services has increased significantly since 2018, going from a mere four to over 150 in 2024. With nearly one-third of U.S. shoppers interested in or having already purchased clothing from online second-hand shops in 2023, it’s clear that there hasn’t been a better time to buy and sell second-hand apparel online than now.
