The 2025 eBay Recommerce Report, released Tuesday, reveals that the recommerce (the buying and selling of pre-owned goods) market has shown global momentum and resilience in a year marked by trade dynamics and continued consumer pricing pressures.
Nearly nine in 10 consumers surveyed plan to maintain or increase their spending on pre-loved items, reflecting how economic pressures and value-seeking behaviour are accelerating this trend, said the report.
The report reveals a broad movement propelled not just by affordability, but by sustainability, self-expression, and community values. Saving money remains a top motivator – 81% of global consumers feel good about the money saved when buying pre-owned – but nearly as many cite non-financial reasons.
“Almost half (45%) of consumers rank environmental benefits among their top reasons for shopping pre-loved. Many also cherish the “thrill of the hunt” for unique finds (65% enjoy the search for second-hand treasures) and the personal satisfaction of giving products a second life,” explained eBay.
“Young consumers are leading this evolution. Gen Z and Millennials, in particular, have embraced recommerce as part of their lifestyle — nearly 80% say they see themselves as part of the movement, and 59% of Gen Z and 56% of Millennials plan to increase their spending on pre-loved items in the year ahead.
“At the same time, this mindset is becoming cross-generational, reflecting a broader shift toward mindful consumption and community-driven commerce. More than half of consumers (56%) say that buying pre-loved allows them to express their personal style, and 63% report feeling connected to a recommerce community through their second-hand shopping.”
eBay said the recommerce boom shows no sign of slowing – it’s even influencing holiday shopping habits. New survey data reveals 78% of consumers globally (82% in the U.S.) are more likely to purchase a second-hand gift this year compared to last, highlighting how deeply recommerce is becoming ingrained in consumer behaviour.
Key Findings
● Widespread adoption: Nearly 9 in 10 consumers plan to maintain or increase their spending on second-hand goods in 2025, confirming that recommerce has gone mainstream. Younger generations are driving this trend, with 59% of Gen Z and 56% of Millennials expecting to buy more pre-loved items in the coming year;
● Affordability & sustainability: 81% of shoppers feel good about the money they’ve saved by buying used items, but value isn’t the only appeal. Nearly half of consumers (45%) include sustainability and environmental impact among their top three reasons for shopping pre-owned – demonstrating that eco-conscious values and purpose (68% say they feel good about giving items a second life) are major drivers of recommerce beyond just low prices;
● Self-expression & community: More than half of consumers (56%) agree that purchasing pre-loved goods allows them to express their personal style. The social aspect is also strong – 63% consider themselves part of a recommerce community of buyers and sellers, and 65% say they enjoy the “thrill of the hunt” when searching for second-hand treasures.
● Holiday shopping shifts to second-hand: 78% of respondents globally – and 82% in the U.S. – say they are more likely to purchase a second-hand gift this year compared to last year. This indicates a significant year-over-year increase in consumers’ openness to gifting pre-owned items.
● Seller empowerment and motivations: Recommerce is enabling micro-entrepreneurship – 86% of eBay sellers report sourcing inventory from their own households (reselling items they already own). Many are motivated by more than profit: 63% of sellers cite “giving items a second life” as a key reason they sell, underlining the community’s shared purpose and the personal fulfillment sellers gain;
● Global momentum across markets: The rise of resale is evident worldwide. Over half of consumers in the U.K. (52%) and Spain (46%) plan to spend more on second-hand goods this year than last. In Italy, 77% of shoppers feel good about giving items a second life through recommerce, and in the U.S., 86% are happy about the money saved on pre-loved purchases – underscoring the universal appeal of recommerce across different economies and cultures.
The report also found that 89% of consumers expect to spend the same or more on pre-loved goods in 2025; 42% plan to increase their pre-loved spending next year (11% “a lot more,” 31% “a little more”); the trend is led by Gen Z (59%) and Millennials (56%), who expect to increase their spend at notably higher rates; and 35% purchase pre-loved goods monthly or more often.
Consumers were asked to choose their top three reasons for recommerce:
1. 81% — Saving money
2. 45% — Sustainability / environmental considerations
3. 37% — Looking for items they can’t find new
4. 36% — Seeking unique or collectible items
5. 17% — Dislike of fast fashion
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