Research commissioned by Amazon has revealed that the UK’s secondhand online market soared to an impressive £4.3 billion ($5.8 billion) in 2024, primarily driven by clothing sales.
The study, conducted by the Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR), surveyed 10,000 adults across Europe and found that more than half of the British population—54%—purchased secondhand clothing online in 2024, firmly establishing fashion as the leading category in the secondhand shopping landscape.
In addition to clothing, the report noted that 26% of consumers bought pre-owned smartphones and tablets, while 24% opted for small household appliances.
The data also highlights a remarkable increase in average monthly spending on secondhand items among UK shoppers, which has jumped by 113% over the past five years, rising from £58.40 to £124.80. This shift towards pre-owned products is attributed to three main factors: financial limitations due to rising living costs (31%), an expanded selection of available products (26%), and greater environmental awareness (25%).
Younger consumers are driving this trend, with 74% of those aged 34 and under engaging in secondhand shopping, compared to only 52% for those over 55.
CEBR forecasts that this sector will continue to grow, predicting an increase to £4.8 billion in the UK by 2025.
The secondhand market encompasses a variety of items, including used goods, “open-box” products, and refurbished items that have been cleaned, inspected, and restored to near-new condition. In 2024, this market helped keep over 199 million products circulating within the UK.
Moreover, the report indicates that UK consumers saved a total of £5.6 billion in 2024 by choosing secondhand options.
John Boumphrey, Amazon UK’s country manager, commented, “At Amazon, we believe that putting returned items back on sale isn’t just good for the planet and for business – it’s what our customers want. Our Second Chance sales in the UK and across Europe, including from Amazon Resale and Amazon Renewed, exceeded €2 billion ($2.34 billion) in 2024, as we expanded our used product selection. It’s clear that providing trustworthy, convenient access to quality, pre-owned items resonates with today’s more conscious customers.”
Despite the market’s success, challenges remain, including concerns about product condition (43%), lack of warranties (39%), and the trustworthiness of sellers (29%).
Sam Littlejohn, head of Amazon returns and repairs, noted, “Britons are turning to secondhand shopping in large numbers, but to supercharge the sector’s growth, customers need to trust buying a used product as much as buying new. The Amazon Resale team works hands-on to inspect and refurbish every item, delivering a reliable experience backed by Amazon’s customer service and return policies.”
Recent data from a BRC-Opinium survey also confirms that clothing will remain the dominant category in the UK’s secondhand market for 2025. Although there is a slight decrease from 45% in 2024 to 43% in 2025, adult clothing continues to be the most frequently bought and sold category in the secondhand marketplace.
