Secondhand Shopping Is Now the Norm: 93% of Americans Bought Used in 2025, According to OfferUp's 2025 Recommerce Report

Read the full report at www.RecommerceReport.com

• 70% of survey respondents say the stigma around secondhand shopping has faded, with shifting attitudes helping fuel the market's projected growth to $306.5 billion by 2030.
• Nearly seven in ten shoppers (69%) turn to secondhand when the economy feels uncertain, and 79% buy used to save money or offset rising costs.
• Gen Z is leading the shift, with 49% selling an item for the first time and 75% saying they enjoy meeting in person to complete transactions.
• Local resale remains core to the experience, with 59% of shoppers saying they enjoy buying and selling with people in their own community.

SEATTLE, Sept. 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, OfferUp, the mobile marketplace that helps millions buy, sell, and connect locally, released its 2025 Recommerce Report, available now at www.RecommerceReport.com. The seventh annual report, published in partnership with retail analytics firm GlobalData, reveals that 93% of Americans bought a secondhand item in the past year and over half (54%) sold a secondhand item. The report provides a comprehensive view of the U.S. secondhand economy beyond just apparel, covering the full spectrum of resale, from furniture and electronics to tools, sporting goods, and more. While apparel often dominates the conversation, it represents just 25% of the resale market, a small fraction of the $200B+ multi-category U.S. recommerce economy.

The growing normalcy of secondhand shopping, reflected in this year's findings, points to a permanent shift in the retail landscape. The U.S. recommerce market is projected to grow 34% by 2030, reaching a valuation of $306.5 billion. This growth will push resale to account for 8% of total retail spending and further establish recommerce as a core part of the retail economy. This shift is driven by the key benefits that make secondhand shopping so appealing, including value and affordability, digital convenience, and changing cultural values. Local transactions also play a significant role, providing people with an easy way to find what they need close to home.

Resale Is How Americans Shop Now
In the past year, 93% of U.S. shoppers bought at least one pre-owned item, and over half (54%) sold one. That broad participation keeps growing, with nearly 1 in 5 Americans (19%) making their first secondhand purchase this year, and 22% selling something used for the first time.

More people are embracing secondhand as it becomes easier, more convenient, and more socially accepted. In fact, 70% 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%), the popularity of sharing secondhand finds with friends and family (53%), and the ease of using apps to browse, buy, and sell (49%).

As these barriers continue to fall, resale has become a trusted and accessible way to shop, driven by both practical savings and personal principles.

How Resale Is Helping Americans Weather a Tougher Economy
In a time when prices are high and household budgets are under pressure, resale has become a practical strategy for millions of Americans looking to make their money go further. When the economy feels uncertain or financial news turns negative, nearly seven in ten U.S. shoppers (69%) say they are more likely to buy or sell secondhand, showing how recommerce provides immediate, practical relief.

For buyers, the value is clear. The majority of shoppers (79%) say they shop secondhand to save money, whether to find lower prices or to navigate inflation and tariffs. But saving isn't the only reason. More than half (54%) say they buy resale to find unique or one-of-a-kind pieces, and one in three (34%) like being able to access high-quality or premium brands at a lower cost.

For sellers, recommerce also serves as a meaningful source of income. More than half (57%) 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%), while some set the money aside for the future, with 28% using the money they earn to save for long-term goals or milestones. When these secondhand sales happen locally, the money often stays in the local economy.

The Future of Recommerce Is Gen Z
Gen Z is not just participating in the growth of recommerce; they are driving it forward. Nearly half (49%) sold a pre-owned item for the first time in the past year. On the buying side, more than half (54%) say they choose secondhand most of the time when a suitable option is available, outpacing Millennials (44%) and signaling a generational shift toward more intentional and sustainable shopping habits.

Resale is also delivering real earnings for Gen Z. One in three Gen Z sellers (33%) report earning between $301 and $500 from secondhand sales, making it a meaningful source of income for many younger adults.

While Gen Z is known for being digitally savvy, their approach to resale is also local and personal. Many buyers and resellers see local, in-person exchanges as a benefit of the recommerce experience, with 59% of shoppers saying they enjoy them. But Gen Z stands out: 75% say they enjoy meeting in person to complete transactions, and many prefer buying from neighborhood sellers over national brands. These local interactions remain at the heart of the secondhand economy, offering convenience that traditional retail can't match while helping build trust and strengthen community ties.

Stronger Communities, One Sale at a Time
For many, local shopping isn't just easier—it's a conscious choice. Sixty-two percent of shoppers prefer to buy and sell within their communities to support the local economy, and over half say it helps them find better deals. 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 neighborhood connection. For local marketplaces like OfferUp, these in-person exchanges are a key part of the experience.

View the complete 2025 OfferUp Recommerce Report here. For the full press kit, including hi-res images of the report, charts and illustrations, click here. 

Browse our online marketplace at https://offerup.com/. For more information on OfferUp, please visit our company page here.

Methodology
The OfferUp Recommerce Report includes research and data from retail analytics firm GlobalData. GlobalData uses consumer surveys, retailer tracking, official data, data sharing, store observation, and secondary sources to analyze, model, and calculate metrics, including market and channel size, and market share. Online market research provider Pollfish conducted a June 2025 survey of 1,500 U.S. adults, asking specific questions about their recommerce buying and selling behaviors.

About OfferUp
OfferUp is unleashing the power of local. From great deals on new and secondhand finds to pro services, home rentals, jobs, advice, and more, our mobile marketplace helps people discover more of what they need, right where they are. Built with simplicity and safety at the core, our trusted platform empowers millions to buy, sell, and connect in their communities. The OfferUp app is available on iOS and Android and has consistently ranked among the top shopping apps. Founded in 2011 and based in Bellevue, WA, OfferUp serves local markets nationwide and was used by more than 1 in 6 adults in the U.S. in 2024. OfferUp is backed by leading investors, including Andreessen Horowitz, Warburg Pincus, GGV Capital, T. Rowe Price, and Coatue Management. Learn more: https://about.offerup.com.

SOURCE OfferUp