Why secondhand shopping is growing in the US

Key Points:

• A recent eBay report reveals that secondhand shopping is increasingly popular in the U.S., with 76% of people having shopped secondhand in the past year and 47% buying secondhand goods at least monthly, up from 35% in 2025.
• Saving money is a primary motivation for 84% of shoppers, with fashion, footwear, and home/media items being the top categories sought after on eBay.
• Many consumers are reselling items to earn extra money, with nearly 40% having sold secondhand goods online; popular resale categories include collectibles, electronics, and media.
• Younger buyers lead the trend, with 46% of 18- to 29-year-olds purchasing secondhand weekly or bi-weekly, driven by both affordability and environmental concerns.
• Buyers appreciate the environmental benefits and uniqueness of secondhand goods, contributing to a circular economy and extending the life cycle of products, with expectations that secondhand shopping will be significant during upcoming holiday seasons.