eBay: Secondhand shopping is on the rise
New research from eBay reveals consumers are increasingly seeing the purchase of used goods as part of everyday shopping activities.
Three-quarters (76%) of global consumers surveyed by eBay say they have shopped for secondhand products in the past year. The eBay 2026 Recommerce Report also reveals that 70% of consumer respondents consider secondhand shopping important for managing their household budgets.
Nine-in-10 (89%) consumer respondents plan to spend the same or more on secondhand goods next year, including 53% who plan to spend the same. However, 53% of 18–29-year-olds expect to buy more secondhand products over the next 12 months, compared to 36% of all respondents. In addition, close to half (47%) of all consumer respondents say they buy secondhand goods at least monthly, up from 35% in 2025.
Other consumer findings
- In the U.S., 36% of consumers surveyed say secondhand is "very important" to managing their household budgets, compared with 28% globally.
- More than eight-in-10 (83%) consumers surveyed agree that recommerce has real environmental benefits.
- More than half (54%) of consumer respondents say community and shared connections, like live shopping, are important to their secondhand shopping experience.
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eBay seller findings
eBay also surveyed sellers on its platform about recommerce. Notable data points include:
- More than four-in-10 (45%) U.S. eBay sellers say resale provides supplemental income, while 25% say the money from their sales has provided vital support for their household income.
- A large majority (85%) of surveyed eBay sellers source secondhand inventory from their own belongings.
"Recommerce has been core to our marketplace for 30 years, and this year's report makes clear that its role in people's lives is only growing," said Jamie Iannone, CEO at eBay. "With more than 2 billion live eBay listings, consumers around the world are embracing secondhand for the affordability, quality, trust, and discovery it offers. eBay is proud to help power that global shift by connecting people with the products they love and the economic opportunity that recommerce creates."
The eBay 2026 Recommerce Report is based on two surveys conducted online in partnership with Bounce Insights, including a survey of 10,522 consumers across the U.S., U.K., Germany, Poland, France, Italy, Spain, Australia, Austria and Japan conducted between July 9-27. In addition, a survey of 1,707 eBay sellers was conducted between July 15 – Aug. 10, across the U.S., U.K., Germany, France, Italy, Australia and Japan.
