Nearly all Americans have embraced secondhand shopping, according to a new report from mobile marketplace OfferUp, which says 93 per cent of U.S. consumers purchased a pre-owned item in the past year.
OfferUp released its 2025 Recommerce Report recently, highlighting widespread participation in the secondhand economy, with over half of Americans (54 per cent) also selling used items. The findings, compiled in partnership with retail analytics firm GlobalData, indicate a growing shift toward resale as a standard retail behaviour rather than a niche activity.
“The growing normalcy of secondhand shopping, reflected in this year’s findings, points to a permanent shift in the retail landscape,” OfferUp said in the report.
According to the report, the U.S. recommerce market—defined as the buying and selling of secondhand goods beyond just clothing—is projected to grow 34 per cent by 2030, reaching a value of US$306.5 billion. That would make resale responsible for eight per cent of total retail spending.
Seventy per cent of Americans surveyed said the stigma around buying used items has decreased in the past year, with shifting values around sustainability, affordability, and digital convenience playing a role.
“As these barriers continue to fall, resale has become a trusted and accessible way to shop, driven by both practical savings and personal principles,” OfferUp said.
Resale is also proving to be a strategy for coping with a strained economy. Sixty-nine per cent of respondents said they are more likely to shop secondhand during periods of economic uncertainty. Most (79 per cent) cited saving money as the main reason for buying used, though 54 per cent also cited the appeal of finding unique items.
Selling used goods has also become a source of income for many. According to the report, 57 per cent of sellers use earnings from resale to cover daily expenses, while others use it for discretionary spending (38 per cent) or to save for long-term goals (28 per cent).
Younger generations are playing a key role in the rise of recommerce. Nearly half (49 per cent) of Gen Z respondents said they sold a used item for the first time in the past year, and 54 per cent said they opt for secondhand most of the time when a suitable option is available.
“Resale is also delivering real earnings for Gen Z,” OfferUp reported. “One in three Gen Z sellers (33 per cent) reports earning between $301 and $500 from secondhand sales, making it a meaningful source of income for many younger adults.”
Despite being known for their online habits, Gen Z shoppers show a strong preference for local and in-person exchanges. Three-quarters (75 per cent) said they enjoy meeting buyers or sellers face-to-face. Overall, 59 per cent of Americans said they enjoy local resale interactions, and 62 per cent prefer to buy and sell within their communities to support the local economy.
“For local marketplaces like OfferUp, these in-person exchanges are a key part of the experience,” the report said. “Whether it’s reducing risk, skipping shipping, or simply meeting the person on the other end of the transaction, peer-to-peer resale is deeply rooted in neighbourhood connection.”
OfferUp’s 2025 Recommerce Report includes data collected by GlobalData and a June 2025 survey of 1,500 U.S. adults conducted by online market research firm Pollfish. The full report is available at www.RecommerceReport.com.
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