The overwhelming majority (93 percent) of Americans bought a secondhand item in the past year, while over half (54 percent) have sold a secondhand item, according to mobile marketplace OfferUp’s 2025 Recommerce Report. The report forecasts the U.S. re-commerce market will grow 34 percent by 2030, reaching a valuation of $306.5 billion, accounting for 8 percent of total retail spending.
OfferUp noted that the appeal of secondhand goods is being driven by value and affordability, digital convenience and changing cultural values. Local transactions also play a significant role, providing consumers with an easy way to find what they need nearby.
The report found that more consumers have adopted secondhand shopping as it becomes easier, more convenient and increasingly socially accepted. In fact, 70 percent of Americans say the stigma around secondhand shopping has lessened over the past year. That shift is being driven by a growing focus on sustainability and reducing waste (56 percent), the popularity of sharing secondhand finds with friends and family (53 percent) and the ease of using apps to browse, buy and sell (49 percent).
On the buyer side, most consumers (79 percent) note that they shop secondhand to save money, whether to find lower prices or to navigate inflation and tariffs. More than half (54 percent) find they buy resale for unique or one-of-a-kind pieces, and one in three (34 percent) like being able to access high-quality or premium brands at a lower cost.
For sellers, re-commerce serves as a meaningful source of income. More than half (57 percent) use the money they earn from selling secondhand items to cover bills and everyday expenses. Others use it to treat themselves or their families (38 percent), while some set the money aside for the future, with 28 percent using the money they earn to save for long-term goals or milestones.
Overall, nearly 1 in 5 Americans (19 percent) made their first secondhand purchase this year, and 22 percent sold something used for the first time.
Re-Commerce’s Strong Appeal for Gen Z
The study found that re-commerce continues to hold strong appeal for the younger generations. Nearly half (49 percent) of Gen Z consumers sold a pre-owned item for the first time in the past year. One in three Gen Z sellers (33 percent) report earning between $301 and $500 from secondhand sales.
On the buying side, more than half (54 percent) of Gen Z said they choose secondhand most of the time when a suitable option is available, outpacing Millennials (44 percent).
Local and personal is also part of the appeal of re-commerce for Gen-Z. Three-quarters of Gen Z respondents indicate that they enjoy meeting in person to complete transactions, compared to 59 percent of overall respondents. Many Gen-Z respondents also prefer buying from neighborhood sellers over national brands.
Methodology: The OfferUp Recommerce Report includes research and data from retail analytics firm GlobalData. It also features an online survey conducted in June 2025 of 1,500 U.S. adults by Pollfish. The full 2025 OfferUp Recommerce Report is available for viewing here.
Image courtesy Habitat for Humanity
