U.S. resale market to reach $306 billion by 2030 as secondhand shopping goes mainstream
Secondhand shopping has become commonplace for Americans as inflation and tariffs have increased the price of goods and the stigma around it has faded.
The overwhelming majority (93%) of Americans bought a secondhand item in the past year, while over half (54%) have sold a secondhand item, revealed mobile marketplace OfferUp’s "2025 Recommerce Report." The U.S. re-commerce market is projected to grow 34% by 2030, reaching a valuation of $306.5 billion, accounting for 8% of total retail spending, the report said.
In other findings, while apparel often dominates the resale conversation, it represents only 25% of the resale market, a small fraction of the $200 billion-plus multi-category U.S. recommerce economy.
A majority (70%) of Americans say the stigma around secondhand shopping has lessened over the past year. OfferUp says the shift has been 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%).
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Almost eight-in-10 (79%) survey respondents told OfferUp they shop secondhand to save money, whether to find lower prices or to navigate inflation and tariffs. However, 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%) say they enjoy being able to access high-quality or premium brands at a lower cost.
One group in particular is leading the growth of recommerce. Nearly half (49%) of Gen Z survey respondents 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 financially for Gen Z. A third (33%) of Gen Z sellers report earning between $301 and $500 from secondhand sales, making it a meaningful source of income for many younger adults.
Despite Gen Z's digital 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 nearly six-in-10 (59%) shoppers saying they enjoy them. Seventy-five percent say they enjoy meeting in person to complete transactions, and many prefer buying from neighborhood sellers over national brands.
Additional insights from the 2025 Recommerce Report include the following:
- More than half (57%) of resellers 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 (28%).
- 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.
- When the economy feels uncertain or financial news turns negative, nearly seven-in-10 (69%) U.S. shoppers say they are more likely to buy or sell secondhand.
OfferUp’s report was conducted in partnership with online market research provider Pollfish, which surveyed 1,500 U.S. adults in June 2025, asking specific questions about their recommerce buying and selling behaviors.
