New Amazon research reveals UK shoppers spent £4.3 billion on pre-owned goods online in 2024—highlighting second-hand as a growing first choice.
A new Amazon‑commissioned study by the Centre for Economics Business Research (CEBR) estimates that
'pre‑owned online shopping is now worth £4.3 billion annually in Britain'.
A booming market that saved UK shoppers £5.6 billion in 2024 and kept 199 million products in circulation.
The research highlights three key reasons consumers are choosing second-hand:
- Within five years, average monthly spending on pre-loved goods more than doubled—from £58.40 to £124.80, a 113% increase.
- 27% of online second-hand purchases “represent sales that would not have happened without the used option being available”.
- Consumers now spend between 34% and 45% of their category budgets (e.g. fashion, tech, appliances) on second-hand items.
- Two‑thirds (65%) of UK adults bought pre‑owned goods online last year.
- Among them, 54% bought clothing; tech and small appliances followed at 26% and 24% respectively.
- Adoption is strongest among younger shoppers: 74% of those aged 34 and under shopped second-hand, compared to 52% of over‑55s.
- Notably, 27% of Britons no longer believe that new is inherently better than used, indicating a meaningful shift in attitudes toward practicality, affordability, and responsibility.
Sam Littlejohn, Amazon’s Head of Returns & Repairs, emphasized:
“Britons are turning to second‑hand shopping in large numbers, but to supercharge the sector’s growth, customers need to trust buying a used product as much as buying new”.
John Boumphrey, Amazon UK Country Manager, identified Amazon’s expanding Second Chance programs as central to meeting consumer demand:
“At Amazon, we believe that putting returned items back on sale isn’t just good for the planet and for business – it’s what our customers want. Our Second Chance sales in the UK and across Europe… exceeded €2 billion (£1.7 billion) in 2024”.
- The UK second‑hand online market is only growing - and expected to reach £4.8 billion in 2025.
- Brands that build trust through warranties and quality assurance can overcome barriers and tap into new demand.
- As Amazon demonstrates, recommerce isn’t just sustainable - it's a strategy for growth.
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Original article via retail times: Read here
The information stems from a survey of 10,000 adults across Europe, including UK-specific findings.
