OfferUp’s 2026 Recommerce Report: Holiday Special Release, based on a survey of 1,500 US adults conducted in October, has found that 80% of Americans expect to purchase at least some holiday gifts second-hand this season. The figure is virtually unchanged from last year’s 81%, pointing to a firmly established shift in how consumers approach seasonal gift-buying. Over a third of respondents, specifically 37%, indicated plans to increase their second-hand gift buying compared to the previous holiday season.
Economic Pressures Driving Resale Marketplace Activity
Financial considerations are playing a central role in these decisions. The survey revealed that 77% of Americans are at least somewhat concerned about rising holiday prices. Additionally, 71% cited economic or financial worries — including inflation and tariffs — as having directly influenced their second-hand buying and selling behaviour over the past year.
Nearly half of respondents, 44%, anticipate taking on credit card debt for seasonal purchases. Among those expecting to carry that debt, a majority said they expect it will take at least three months to pay off. Against this backdrop, 78% of respondents said they would consider second-hand marketplaces specifically to avoid debt or overspending, underscoring the growing appeal of the resale marketplace as a practical budgeting tool.
Many shoppers are also planning to generate funds for holiday spending by reselling items they already own, with 42% expressing intentions to sell — or at least consider selling — gifts received in previous years.
Why Consumers Are Turning to Second-Hand Platforms
Pricing is only one part of the picture. When confronted with higher-than-expected gift costs, 51% of respondents said they would search for the exact same item at a lower price through second-hand holiday shopping channels. By comparison, 45% said they would wait for a retail sale, and 32% indicated they might settle for a less expensive alternative.
The appeal of second-hand shopping extends beyond price alone. For those seeking higher-quality or discontinued items, 49% of Americans said these factors would increase their likelihood of choosing second-hand options. Availability is another key driver — 81% of respondents said they would consider second-hand alternatives if a desired gift was sold out at a retail store.
As the holiday season draws closer and concerns around shipping timelines grow, three in four respondents said they would be likely to seek out local second-hand sellers if online orders could not be guaranteed to arrive on time.
Most Popular Second-Hand Gift Categories
Clothing and accessories top the list of preferred categories for second-hand holiday shopping this season, accounting for 47% of respondents. Collectables and vintage items follow at 38%, reflecting the sustained interest in unique and hard-to-find products through the resale marketplace.
Second-Hand Marketplaces Gain Ground on Major Shopping Events
Consumer spending through second-hand channels is also making a stronger showing during major retail events. The survey found that 62% of Americans plan to check second-hand sources for items being promoted during Black Friday or Cyber Monday.
There is also growing consumer interest in the integration of recommerce into emerging technologies. Sixty-six percent of respondents expressed interest in seeing second-hand recommendations included in AI-powered gift searches, with younger consumers showing particular enthusiasm for this capability.
Survey Methodology
The OfferUp 2026 Recommerce Report: Holiday Special Release was conducted by Pollfish and based on responses from 1,500 US adults surveyed in October. The findings reflect consumer attitudes toward second-hand holiday shopping, resale marketplace behaviour, and the economic factors shaping gift-buying decisions this season.
