8 surprising things we learned from eBay’s 2026 Recommerce Report

8 surprising things we learned from eBay's 2026 Recommerce Report

eBay News Team

Secondhand isn't just having a moment; it's becoming a way of life. That's one of the clearest takeaways from eBay's 2026 Recommerce Report, which surveyed more than 10,000 secondhand shoppers and more than 1,700 eBay sellers. The findings show that secondhand shopping has moved well beyond the occasional thrift-store trip. People are buying secondhand more frequently, making room for it in household budgets, and finding new ways to connect over what they buy.

Below are nine surprising things we learned from eBay's 2026 Recommerce Report. But, before we get there, here's an unsurprising fact, also drawn from the report: People want products built for a second life. More than 80% of consumers globally agree products should be designed to last longer and be easier to repair. That's a big co-sign for secondhand.

1. Nearly half of consumers buy secondhand at least once a month.
Secondhand is becoming routine: 47% of those surveyed buy pre-owned goods at least monthly, up from just 35% in 2025.

2. For Gen Z, it can be a weekly habit.
Among 18-29-year-olds, 46% buy secondhand weekly or biweekly, compared to 28% across all age groups. Fifty-three percent of this Gen Z cohort expect to buy even more secondhand goods next year.

3. Your closet may be a major source of inventory.
Eighty-five percent of eBay sellers surveyed source secondhand inventory from their own personal belongings. Friends and family clearing out their closets supply another 28%.

4. Secondhand is written into budgets.
Seventy percent of consumers say buying secondhand is important to managing their household expenses. Among Gen Z that number rises to 76%.

5. Younger consumers are changing the rules for secondhand gifts.
In the U.K., 47% of 18-45-year-olds say they're willing to give a pre-loved item as a gift. Among consumers 62 and older, that number is only 15%.

6. In Poland, more than half of Gen Z shops secondhand exclusively online.
Fifty-five percent of Polish Gen Z consumers surveyed shop secondhand exclusively online, compared with 32% of Polish consumers overall. It's a glimpse at just how digital the next generation of recommerce may be.

7. Almost half of surveyed secondhand sellers have already gone international.
Forty-eight percent have sold a secondhand item internationally on eBay. Another 24% haven't yet, but are open to it.

8. Community matters, especially to Gen Z.
Fifty-four percent of consumers say community and shared connections are important to their secondhand shopping experience, rising to 61% among Gen Z.

More and more, recommerce is becoming a habit for many. People do it for a range of reasons, from finding unique items to saving money to connecting with communities. And for younger generations, buying secondhand is becoming second nature.

Read the full 2026 Recommerce Report to explore the findings.

Topics: Announcements, Commerce