Royal Mail have found that the British public are all for a side hustle as almost one in three Brits are selling items online, bringing in £200 a month.
One reason why so many Brits have a side hustle is because it feels good. 67% of brits love trading their second-hand wares and send or receive an average of seven parcels per month, while 27% claim selling online is their main source of income.
There is also great support from consumers with 47% saying they support side hustlers and independent businesses more than any other online retailer. Clothes, books and electronics are the most popular products shoppers and sellers are exchanging across the UK.
Of those who sell, just under half feel a sense of achievement when they ship a parcel off to its new home. While 36% of buyers claim it puts a spring in their step when their parcel arrives, with 32% describing a parcel delivery as the ‘highlight’ of their day.
We are proud to be an enabler of everyday people, looking to pursue their dreams amid the cost-of-living crisis. We aspire to make our services as convenient as possible so everyone can manage their business from home, removing the need to trek heavy parcels to the local drop off point whenever they make a deserved sale.
– Nick Landon, Chief Commercial Officer for Royal Mail Parcel Collect
The study also found eBay, Facebook Marketplace and Etsy were the online marketplaces that respondents use most frequently, with one in five using Vinted.
Top reasons for using online platforms like these are saving money, enjoying the thrill of hunting down the perfect item, allowing someone else to enjoy something they no longer need and giving items a new lease of life.
Environmental factors also play a role, with a third using online marketplaces because it’s better for the environment. Sales are going so well for some that 41 per cent of those polled have plans to develop their side hustle into their main source of income.
4 Responses
Many of these “side hustles” in fact involve buying to resell 1000s of items over years. Not just clearing out their attic. Operating like a business but exempt from providing any consumer protection. Not registered to pay tax nor registered as a proper business on eBay. They’re basically stealing off those of us who are correctly registered and who do declare everything. No sympathy from me if and when they get caught.
We have fairies and elves at the bottom of our garden too !
its MONEY! MONEY MONEY!!!
“Top reasons for using online platforms like these are saving money, enjoying the thrill of hunting down the perfect item, allowing someone else to enjoy something they no longer need and giving items a new lease of life.”