New data released today by eBay ahead of Black Friday reveals UK shoppers are global leaders in purchasing pre-loved items.
eBay’s fifth annual Recommerce Report,which polls 27,000 consumers and eBay sellers worldwide on their pre-loved shopping perceptions and behaviours, finds the UK is at the heart of a cultural shift in how people shop. Key findings include:
- Nearly half (46%) of UK consumers buy pre-loved goods at least once a month, higher than any other market surveyed.
- 92% of UK respondents plan to maintain or increase their spending on pre-loved items.
- Saving money is one of the top three reasons UK consumers buy pre-loved goods, with 79% citing it as a key motivation. Sustainability and environmental benefits also rank high at 47%, showing that shoppers are increasingly driven by both practical and purposeful reasons.
- Globally, Gen Z and Millennials are driving recommerce forward, with 59% of Gen Z and 56% of Millennials planning to increase their spending on pre-loved goods this year.
With the cost of living squeezing household budgets, Britons are increasingly savvy about finding value without compromising on quality or conscience. 81% of consumers feel good about having saved money on their pre-loved purchases, while 86% of eBay sellers source inventory from their own belongings, transforming items they already own into income.
While pre-loved fashion is an established go-to for those looking to shop smart, sustainably and with a unique style with 72% of consumers purchasing clothes, refurbished tech is emerging as an additional growth engine for sustainable shopping.
More than a third (35%) of UK consumers are now buying pre-loved tech, making it one of the top three recommerce categories after fashion and books. By choosing refurbished over new, shoppers are saving up to 50% on everyday technology and fashion from trusted brands while contributing to a more circular economy.
UK shoppers are leading a global retail rethink where second-hand can be the first choice for value, quality and conscience.
Shopping should be fun and the thrill of discovery is just as powerful – if not more so – when you uncover something vintage, restored or reimagined. From refurbished tech to pre-loved fashion, with 71% of Brits saying it feels good to give something a second life, it’s clear that shopping smarter is also shopping with heart.
– Eve Williams, General Manager, eBay UK
Rethinking Black Friday: Recommerce only at eBay’s Live Superstore Debut
Celebrating this rising consumer appetite, eBay is putting recommerce at the centre of Britain’s biggest shopping day this Black Friday, launching its first-ever eBay Live Superstore at Outernet in London. Featuring only non-new items from sellers across fashion and homeware to tech, shoppers can join the experience in person or tune in from home via eBay Live – eBay’s new live shopping and entertainment experience – to get exclusive deals with up to 50% off RRP.
Shoppers can join the eBay Live Superstore in person at Outernet or tune in from home via eBay Live, where presenter, broadcaster, and philanthropist AJ Odudu and a line-up of special co-hosts will front seven livestreams kicking off on the hour, every hour from 13:00 GMT. Each session will feature exclusive deals, surprise drops and giveaways throughout the day in addition to exclusive deals running throughout Black Friday on ebay.co.uk.
Sign up on HERE to get reminders and join the action as it happens.
