The Europe secondhand goods market is valued at USD 38.4 billion in 2025 and is expected to grow at an 11.7% CAGR between 2025 and 2035. The Europe secondhand goods industry is expected to grow to USD 116.6 billion by 2035.
Among the primary drivers fueling this growth is the rapid consumer shift toward more sustainable consumption habits, particularly among younger consumers, in addition to the EU's circular economy policy strengthening.Europe has experienced a robust surge in resale activity in fashion, electronics, home furnishings, and luxury segments.
Online platforms and mobile marketplaces have created a smooth infrastructure for consumers to buy and sell secondhand goods. Brands themselves are entering the world of commerce with take-back and resale initiatives, allowing a combination of affordability, environmental consciousness, and brand commitment.
Value-for-money values and moral purchasing decisions are now fueling consumer trends in Europe. The rising standard of living, especially in Western Europe, has rendered secondhand goods all the more desirable as cost-cutting and environmentally sensitive options. As inflation eats away at disposable incomes, buyers are turning to safe resale routes ever more often to procure premium or branded goods at cheaper prices.
Legislative support is also playing its part. The Green Deal of the European Commission and broader policy environments are nudging businesses and customers toward circularity. Tax credits, green certifications, and waste-reduction targets are persuading business entities and customers to divest themselves of first-use products.
Such policies are creating an enabling environment for secondhand businesses to thrive in both online and physical retailing destinations.Over the forecasting period, diversification in the industry as AI-powered resale sites, authentication technology, and cross-border commerce capabilities drive growth.
Brands with open pricing formats and condition rating systems are growing more reputable, especially among millennials and Gen Z consumers who favor transparency and environmental sustainability. That momentum suggests that secondhand consumption will evolve from a niche phenomenon to a mass behavioral change across European retailing by 2035.
In secondhand goodsindustries, purchasing behaviors are quite different among end-use industries depending on varying sensitivities of quality, regulation, and product life cycle. Consumer electronics consumers are looking for price and functional guarantee first, and there is a strong demand for remanufactured smartphones, laptops, and audio gear. Cost sensitivity is moderate, but compatibility with ongoing features like IoT makes it a powerful discriminator.
Industrial monitoring applications have very high demand, but customers need higher reliability and regulatory compliance, particularly for instruments and calibrated equipment. Traders prefer to emphasize traceability and maintenance history to reduce concerns regarding operational integrity. In healthcare and disinfection, demand is growing, but there is high sensitivity regarding compliance and sterility. Customers here prefer certified refurbishments or near-new condition.
The resale industry for environmental monitoring gear has very high demand and affordability. Buyers, often holding public or nonprofit roles, seek functional yet economical sources. There are still regulated standards in place, but price and sustainability are increasingly prevalent, continuing the trend toward embracing secondhand technologies that serve both operational needs and climate impetuses.
Despite robust growth, the Europe secondhand goods industry is exposed to several risks. One of the most significant risks is uneven quality control, which can undermine consumer trust and platform reputation. As opposed to new goods, secondhand products lack standardized condition standards, making it difficult to guarantee performance, especially in cross-border transactions where return options may be restricted.
A second immediate risk is one of regulatory uncertainty. With resale models on the rise, particularly in electronics and medical-grade devices, there is a lack of consistency in jurisdictions for compliance requirements in warranties, certifications, and consumer protection. This patchwork system can slow industry development, particularly for high-value segments involving authenticated refurbishment.
The industry runs the risk of reputational losses due to imitations and lack of authentication. In industries like luxury fashion or electronics, inefficiencies in the verification system translate into fraud and drive risk-conscious buyers to return to first-hand retail. As a way to mitigate these dangers, industry participants must invest in trustworthy authentication schemes, digital twins, and traceability using blockchains that supply transparency and confidence in secondhand trade.
From the year 2020 to 2024, there was significant growth within the industry for secondhand items in Europe due to shifts in consumption patterns, economic conditions, and greater sensitivity towards ecological preservation.
COVID-19 played a significant role within the entire process as citizens grew more price-sensitive and resorted to secondhand items as an affordable alternative. Additionally, increased knowledge of circular economy and sustainability concepts inspired consumers to buy secondhand goods as a form of waste reduction and their carbon footprint.
Europe's secondhand industry will continue to evolve in the future, with several prominent trends on the horizon. The industry will also become digitalized, and customers will be able to easily navigate and authenticate the authenticity of goods with AI and machine learning technology.
The digital platforms will also be easier to use, with more tailored recommendations and easier purchase flows. The greater sustainability is a driving force, the more brands will embed resale into their business models, partnering with secondhand platforms and even having their own resale operations.
Comparative Market Shift Analysis (2020 to 2024 vs. 2025 to 2035)
| 2020 to 2024 | 2025 to 2035 |
|---|---|
| Economic stimuli, growth in environmental awareness, and growth in e-commerce platforms. | Digitalization, AI and machine learning integration, and brands adopting resale formats. |
| Value customers, fashion-led customers, and eco-conscious customers. | Mainly young customers (millennials and Gen Z), with growing environmentally conscious customers. |
| Fashion, technology, home decor, and high-end products. | Increased luxury second-hand, e.g. high-end fashion and vintage. |
| Online marketplaces (eBay, Vinted, Depop) and offline stores for secondhand goods. | More numbers of digitally born marketplaces, embedded blockchain for authentication, and offline boutique stores for high-end used. |
| More circular economy and green-aware sentiment, demanding green shopping. | More mainstreaming of sustainable behaviors, greenification of re-used goods, and eco-friendly brands going mass with resale. |
The UK industry will progress at an 11.3% CAGR throughout the study. Demand for secondhand products is on a steep upward curve, fueled by rising consumer knowledge of sustainability, budget-friendly behavior, and the expanding role of online reselling websites.
Consumers are experiencing a change in culture, with more and more people perceiving used products - particularly fashion, electronics, and furniture-to be fashionable and desirable. The younger demographic specifically is leading this transformation, with very strong desires for retro and secondhand purchases over new buys.
Having multiple large established resale marketplaces online has further enhanced ease of access and convenience for both buyers and sellers. Sellers are now starting to respond by creating resale or refurbishment product lines and harvesting value from returned or excess merchandise.
This shift towards circular economy practices is complemented by regulatory encouragement for minimizing environmental waste. Ongoing adoption of digital technologies, including AI-driven pricing engines and individualized recommendations, is further improving consumer experiences and driving up adoption levels.
Inflationary pressures are also compelling an expanding number of consumers to seek out cheaper alternatives, further establishing secondhand items as a mainstream option. Consequently, the UK is becoming one of the fastest-growing Europe secondhand goods industry.
The French industry is forecasted to grow at 10.7% CAGR over the course of this study. Consumers are increasingly interested in secondhand products within France, especially among city dwellers and eco-conscious consumers.
The industry is being supported by robust social and governmental support for sustainable practices in the form of tax incentives and public information campaigns to encourage reuse rather than disposal. Cultural acceptance of secondhand goods, particularly in the fashion and luxury sectors, is strong, backed by established secondhand boutiques and expanding online marketplaces.
Digital innovation is playing an important part in France's secondhand boom, with mobile applications and online platforms making transactions easy and increasing sellers' reach. Fashion is still the leading category, followed by books, home furnishings, and electronics.
Additionally, French shoppers are more likely to link secondhand shopping to economic value as well as a moral obligation, making personal financial aspirations coincide with the ecological footprint. The rise in peer-to-peer resale communities and the arrival of e-commerce joint ventures among major retailers and reselling platforms also drive this pace. As regulatory policies persist with their focus on circular economy approaches, France can be expected to sustain its good growth trend for the rest of the forecast period.
The German industry will record a 10.1% CAGR between the years considered for study. Strong recycling and environmental culture form a good base for the German secondhand goods industry. There is high consumer confidence in used and preowned products, particularly in electronics, home appliances, and apparel. As more importance is placed on product longevity and carbon footprint minimization, individual consumers, as well as institutional players, are joining the secondhand industry.
The industry is also being influenced by increasing fears over supply chain disruption and price instability, prompting consumers to look for alternative consumption channels. Online marketplaces have gained strong momentum, taking advantage of Germany's highly developed digital infrastructure to link buyers and sellers.
Local government initiatives to support waste reduction and sustainable consumption patterns are also further fueling this trend. One sees a significant increase in the variety of pop-up thrift sales, swap industries, and online groups specifically dedicated to trading used items.
Brand-driven e-commerce initiatives are also becoming more popular, featuring certified refurbished products supported by guarantees. Germany's strict regulation of standards of safety and quality in secondhand sales has served to increase consumer confidence, making the country a stalwart performer in the Europe secondhand goods industry.
The Italian industry is forecasted to expand at 9.5% CAGR over the course of the study. The consumption of secondhand products in Italy is gradually increasing, driven by shifting customer behavior and growing environmental sustainability awareness.
Although conventional values previously preferred new acquisitions, particularly in retailing areas such as clothing and domestic furniture, the contemporary Italian consumer gradually accepts high-quality pre-owned items. This shift is most apparent among younger generations and city consumers who are adopting digital resale platforms and value-driven shopping.
Fashion and accessories account for the largest proportion of the Italian secondhand industry, frequently motivated by the desire for one-of-a-kind, vintage items. The impact of circular economy thinking is gaining ground, with consumers and businesses alike realizing the ecological and economic advantages of lengthening product lifecycles.
Luxury resale is especially vibrant, with bespoke boutiques and online marketplaces selling authenticated designer items. Government policies to cut waste and promote sustainable trade are starting to have an effect, although awareness is still inconsistent across regions. As more Italian companies venture into resale and refurbishment models, the industry is likely to keep growing, although at a marginally slower rate than other top European economies.
In the industry, by 2025, Apparel & fashion are projected to dominate with a significant industry share of 40%. In contrast, house, garden, and do-it-yourself (DIY) products will have a lower share of 15%.Apparel & fashion represent the largest sector within the secondhand goods industry due to the increasing consumer awareness regarding sustainable and environment-conscious alternatives.
The secondhand fashion industry is somewhat on the rise due to the thrilling vintage fashion, upcycled fashion, and the growing appeal of consumers looking for affordable alternatives to new fashion. Major players in the online industry for secondhand clothing include ThredUp, Vinted, and Depop, which give consumers easy access to secondhand clothes.
Such platforms are gaining special attraction among the younger generations, mainly the Millennials and Gen Z, who value sustainability and fast fashion with cheap pricing. European brick-and-mortar thrift stores, such as Oxfam and Goodwill, are also performing well for customers looking for unique and environmentally conscious fashion. The rise in demand for pre-loved fashion has spilled into sustainable consumption, especially following the environmental impact of fast fashion.
Smaller houses, gardens, and DIY will grow in parallel with this desire for sustainable practices in home improvement and gardening. Here, the low-cost and environmentally friendly secondhand furniture, as well as secondhand garden tools and DIY equipment, do have a role to play.
Companies like eBay, Facebook Marketplace, and Leboncoin have tapped into this trend, providing platforms where people can purchase and sell secondhand goods for home use. This segment has particular appeal to consumers looking for home decor and gardening solutions that are easy on the budget yet are not willing to trade off on quality.
In 2025, the industry by sales channel, online marketplaces, will dominate the industry at a major 60% industry share, while thrift stores/resale stores will account for 20%.eBay, Vinted, Depop, and Facebook Marketplace are also leading online sales channels within the secondhand industry. Whilst at home, browsing, buying, and selling are very convenient.
This is increasingly attracting more people, especially younger people like Millennials and Gen Z, to online platforms. The platforms reach industries worldwide, ranging from fashion and home goods to electronics. They offer the ease of listing one's goods for resale while being backed by a growing trend toward sustainable shopping.
This puts online platforms at the forefront of the secondhand industry. Most of them have also embraced social features and put in user-friendly interfaces that are attractive to the general tech-savvy audience. The rise of popularity in Vinted and Depop, for instance, proves this.
By contrast, in thrift stores/resale stores, an expected 20% industry share is going to be assigned. Yet, physically visiting and experiencing the goods in time saves a lot more with these stores that keep reality open, such as Oxfam or Goodwill, and other locally-sounding charity shops, even though online marketplaces are being stormed with customers nowadays.
Such stores serve many consumers as a community, giving a person who would like to see any of their products a chance to share their point of view with someone else before they buy something. The other thing with these stores is that they do come with their social purpose, charitable for some.
Europe's secondhand economy is expanding rapidly with the increasing interest of consumers towards the circular economy, pricing, and sustainability. Industry leader Carousell boasts an extremely consumer-friendly, mobile-first platform that is easy to use to sell peer-to-peer across a broad range of items.
The ease of use and experience of the company have established it well in Europe's secondary ecosystem. Amazon Marketplace is not far behind, using its massive presence and credibility factor to enable secondhand sales of electronics, books, clothing, and home items through amateur and professional resellers. OLX remains a giant with its localized classified sites, offering a cheap, simple solution for users throughout most of Europe to sell and buy secondhand items.
Tokopedia and Reebelo are also taking giant leaps, especially in the second-hand electronics and technology sector, on the strength of customer confidence and quality control. Cashify and Sangeetha Mobiles are, however, tapping the second-hand electronics industry while more niche stores like BookMooch and My Toys target niche segments of children's books and toys, respectively. Anchanto, Rakuten, and Yahoo! Auctions Japan add their strength in backend technologies and marketplace solutions to the secondhand industry ecosystem.
Market Share Analysis by Company
| Company | Estimated Market Share (%) |
|---|---|
| Carousell | 16-19% |
| Amazon Marketplace | 14-17% |
| OLX | 11-14% |
| Tokopedia | 9-12% |
| Reebelo | 7-10% |
| Other Players | 33-38% |
Key Company Insights
Carousell leads the Europe secondhand goods industry with an estimated 16-19% industry share by providing a user-friendly, mobile-first marketplace platform that supports the buying and selling of a wide array of pre-owned goods. Its dedication to frictionless peer-to-peer interaction and community development programs has cemented its place as a go-to destination for secondhand purchases. Amazon Marketplace trails with a 14-17% industry share, leveraging its extensive infrastructure and established brand to facilitate sales of certified secondhand and refurbished products in many categories, such as electronics, books, and household items, thereby appealing to a large customer base throughout Europe.
OLX has an estimated 11-14% industry share, providing highly localized platforms that are suited to regional patterns of buying and selling, thus retaining its strong presence in many European nations. Tokopedia holds around 9-12% of the industry share, dealing in secondhand and refurbished electronics with heavy focus on product quality and authenticity, whereas Reebelo holds a 7-10% share, playing the role of a specialist in green technology solutions by reselling professionally refurbished smartphones, laptops, and gadgets.
By product type, the industry is segmented into apparel/fashion, women’s, men’s, baby/kids, house, garden, do-it-yourself, consumer electronics, media and entertainment, consumer appliances, beauty and health, toys, leisure, sports and fitness, and pet supplies.
By sales channel, the industry is segmented into thrift stores/resale stores, online marketplaces, consignment shops, and other channels.
By country, the industry is segmented into the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Spain, and Russia.
The industry is slated to reach USD 38.4 billion in 2025.
The industry is predicted to reach a size of USD 116.6 billion by 2035.
Key companies include Carousell, Amazon Marketplace, OLX, Tokopedia, Reebelo, Sangeetha Mobiles, Cashify, Hamleys, BookMooch, Qoo10, My Toys, Nykaa, Flipkart, PetSmart, Pet Lovers Centre, Anchanto, Rakuten, SaSa, Kakaku.com, Toy R Us, and Yahoo! Auctions Japan.
The European industry itself is the focus, with a CAGR of 11.7% during the forecast period.
Apparel & fashion is being widely used.
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Europe Secondhand Goods Market
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