The fifth annual Recommerce Report from eBay suggests that recommerce has moved from niche to mainstream, as 89% of global consumers surveyed expect to spend the same amount or more on secondhand goods in 2025 than they did in 2024.
In a survey of eBay sellers and general consumers, the company found that recommerce is no longer viewed simply as an alternative way to shop but as a conscious lifestyle choice based on personal values, community connection and financial empowerment.
Gen Z and Millennials are driving recommerce forward, eBay asserted, with 59% of Gen Zers and 56% of Millennials surveyed planning to increase their spending on second-hand goods this year. At the same time 35% of all survey respondents said they now buy second-hand products monthly or more often, indicating that recommerce has become integrated into everyday shopping behaviors.
Saving money is one of the top three reasons consumers cite for purchasing second-hand goods, with 81% saying it is a key motivation. Sustainability and environmental benefits also rank high, at 45%. In comparison, other leading reasons for purchasing second-hand items include seeking a specific product unavailable new (37%), seeking unique or collectible pieces (36%), and a dislike of fast fashion (17%).
Consumers who shop second-hand products often feel a sense of unity, as 63% consider themselves part of a recommerce community, with that number rising to nearly 80% among Gen Z and Millennials. In addition, 65% of consumers say they enjoy the thrill of the hunt when searching for second-hand items, and 56% agree that buying pre-owned goods allows them to express personal style.
As economic uncertainty persists, recommerce offers financial relief and personal opportunity, eBay maintained, with 81% of consumers polled feeling good about having saved money on second-hand purchases. In tapping their own resources, 86% of eBay sellers use their own belongings as inventory, transforming possessions into income.
“Recommerce is redefining how people shop, led by a new generation that values connection, purpose and sustainability,” said Jamie Iannone, eBay CEO, in announcing the survey results. “Nearly 80% of Gen Z and Millennials see themselves as part of this movement, turning their passion for pre-loved items into real impact. 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.”
