Spending on second-hand goods continues to rise in Europe, with fashion a notable frontrunner. In almost all major markets, used clothing items lead the rankings, well ahead of electronics and household appliances.
© Sirinarth Mekvorawuth | Dreamstime
Online trade in used and returned products in five European countries surveyed represented a combined value of €21.6 billion in 2024. Germany is the largest market: consumers there spent more than €6.5 billion on second-hand goods. Of that amount, 52% went to clothing. Smaller household appliances (39%) and smartphones/tablets (35%) followed at a distance.
Second-hand fashion also proved particularly popular in other countries. In France, almost €5.8 billion worth of pre-owned clothing was purchased. In the UK, it amounted to €5 billion, followed by Italy with €2.4 billion and Spain with €1.8 billion.
The figures show that sustainability and price-consciousness are playing an increasingly important role in the buying behaviour of European consumers. Fashion is not only the most sought-after second-hand segment, but also a sector in which supply continues to grow strongly.
Source: RetailDetail
