The UK's second-hand retail market is booming, with a growing number of consumers turning to pre-loved goods, according to new survey data from BRC-Opinium. The research shows increased buying and selling activity in seven of ten categories measured, with furniture and small electronics seeing the sharpest growth.
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Furniture led the gains, with 21% of respondents saying they had bought and/or sold second-hand items in this category — a 6 percentage point increase from last year. Smaller electronics such as smartphones and laptops followed closely, rising 4 points. Adult clothing remained the most commonly traded category overall at 43%, although this figure was down slightly from 45% in 2024. Footwear and children's clothing also saw small declines, suggesting a maturing or saturated market for used garments.
Generational differences were pronounced. Gen Z (18–27) led second-hand activity across most categories, especially small electronics. Boomers (60–78) showed increased engagement in furniture resale, reflecting wider adoption across age groups.
'It is great to see so many people, across all generations, embracing the circular economy," said Sophie De Salis, Sustainability Policy Advisor at the British Retail Consortium. "Second-hand is no longer seen as second best. It has become a first choice for sustainability, affordability and individuality.'
Neill O'Sullivan, Managing Director of Parcels and Mails at Post Office, added: 'We've seen the surge in demand as customers rush to the second-hand market to find affordable products, or bring in some extra cash by offloading unloved items. In the fast-moving world of second-hand shopping, Post Office understands that quick, secure delivery is key to customers.'
He continued, 'Whether you're buying or selling, our branches are a one-stop shop… Our fast-track Drop & Go service lets customers drop off parcels to be weighed and labelled by our branch teams. This means the second-hand savvy can make the most of this growing market, without the stress.'
More information:
British Retail Consortium
[email protected]
www.brc.org.uk
