Thrifting and shopping for previously loved items have officially gone mainstream. That's the headline from our 2025 Recommerce Report, which shows that buying and selling pre-loved goods is no longer a trend — it’s a well-established part of how people shop today. Consumers are turning to secondhand items to find value and make more environmentally conscious choices, making more intentional, resource-efficient decisions about how they participate in the economy.

“Recommerce is redefining how people shop — led by a new generation that values connection, purpose, and sustainability. eBay has been leading this shift from the start, and with new AI tools, it’s now easier than ever to give great products a second life and build a more sustainable future,” said eBay CEO Jamie Iannone. Drawing on surveys of more than 27,000 consumers and eBay sellers across 11 countries, the report proves recommerce is emerging as a reliable way to meet needs, reduce waste, and build financial resilience. Here are five of the key takeaways from the report:

1. Recommerce Has Become Mainstream 

Nearly nine in ten global consumers plan to maintain or increase their spending on pre-loved goods in 2025 — a signal that recommerce has fully cemented itself in the modern economy. This trend spans generations – while Gen Z (59%) and Millennials (56%) lead in boosting their spending on pre-loved purchases, consumers of all ages are buying used goods.

In fact, secondhand shopping is now a routine part of how households meet their needs. According to the report, more than one-third of consumers (35%) now buy pre-loved items monthly or more often.

2. Affordability is a Primary Driver

The report shows that for most people, recommerce is a smart financial decision: 81% of consumers buy pre-loved goods to save money, and 86% feel good about the savings they achieve. With nearly two-thirds of respondents saying improved financial stability would enhance their quality of life, pre-loved shopping is a practical strategy for managing household budgets.

3. Recommerce Creates Pathways for Entrepreneurship

Aside from saving money, recommerce opens the door to economic participation. Almost 90% percent of eBay sellers source inventory from their own belongings, turning unused items into supplemental income without the large upfront investments of many traditional businesses. 

4. Purpose and Sustainability Are Powerful Motivators

Affordability is only part of the story. Many consumers are choosing to buy pre-loved goods because it aligns with their values. Sixty-eight percent of consumers feel good about giving items a second life, and 45% cite sustainability benefits as a key motivator. Shopping secondhand has become a popular expression of conscious consumption.

This values-driven sentiment extends to sellers, too. Sixty-three percent of eBay sellers say that giving items a second life motivates them to sell, reflecting a growing cultural shift toward waste reduction and the circular economy. 

“Recommerce has evolved into a global movement driven by purpose. Today’s consumers are choosing pre-loved goods not just for value but to make more sustainable choices that benefit people and the planet,” Renée Morin, eBay’s Chief Sustainability Officer, said. 

5. Community and Connection Are Redefining the Shopping Experience

Recommerce isn’t just about the transaction. Sixty-three percent of consumers consider themselves part of a recommerce community, and 65% enjoy the “thrill of the hunt.” For many, pre-loved shopping has become a form of self-expression and a way to engage with others who share similar passions and values.

Enthusiasts' categories range from trading cards (45%), collectibles (37%), and antiques (35%) to toys (29%), music (31%), and auto parts (22%). According to the report, sellers also enjoy tapping into their personal interests and engaging with a community that shares the same excitement. This dynamic strengthens the circular economy by tying economic activity to shared purpose and passion.

“Recommerce isn't just a market; it's a movement. Given that clothing and shoes are top pre-loved purchases, it's clear recommerce is now an influential part of everyday life and self-expression,” Alexis Hoopes, eBay’s Vice President of Global Fashion, said. 

As recommerce continues to grow, initiatives like the recently launched Congressional Recommerce Caucus are helping shape policies and partnerships that support a thriving secondhand economy. By connecting industry leaders, policymakers, and consumers, we can help ensure that giving products a second life isn’t just a trend – it’s a sustainable, accessible, and community-driven way to shop for the long term.