Britain’s second-hand shopping boom has grown into a £4.3 billion economy that’s reshaping retail, according to new research carried out by the Centre for Economics Business Research (CEBR) and commissioned by Amazon. And it doesn’t stop there, it’s predicted that the online trade in second-hand goods will expand from £4.3 billion in 2024, to £4.8 billion in the UK this year
The report, which included a survey of 10,000 adults across Europe, reveals UK consumers saved £5.6 billion in 2024 by choosing pre-owned products, with three key factors fuelling this transition: increasing cost-of-living pressures, wider availability of pre-owned products, and heightened consideration of environmental issues among shoppers.
- On Amazon, two-thirds of Brits bought second-hand goods online in 2024, while saving £5.6 billion and keeping 199 million products in circulation
- Total Amazon used product sales across the UK and Europe exceeded €2 billion (£1.7 billion) in 2024.
- Second-hand products now account for 34%-45% of UK spending within some of the most popular categories including tech, fashion and home appliances
Average monthly spending on pre-loved goods has more than doubled over five years, climbing 113% from £58.40 to £124.80 a month. Furthermore, 27% of online second-hand purchases in the UK represent sales that would not have happened without the used option being available. This shows how resale channels can create new buying opportunities that might not otherwise occur.
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, including from Amazon Resale and Amazon Renewed, exceeded €2 billion (£1.7 billion) in 2024, as we have expanded our used product selection. It’s clear that providing trustworthy, convenient access to quality, pre-owned items is resonating with today’s more conscious customers.
– John Boumphrey, UK Country Manager, Amazon
