eBay Recommerce Report: Secondhand Shopping Rises Worldwide as Consumers Seek Value and Stretch Budgets

Monthly secondhand purchasing reached 47% of global consumers surveyed, compared with 35% in 2025.

Rhea-AI Summary

eBay (EBAY) released its 2026 Recommerce Report, examining secondhand shopping habits through surveys of consumers and sellers across several markets.

The research surveyed more than 10,500 consumers and more than 1,700 eBay sellers. Among global consumers surveyed, 47% buy secondhand goods at least monthly, up from 35% in 2025, and 70% consider secondhand shopping important for managing household budgets. In the U.S., 36% call it very important for household budgets, compared with 28% globally. Looking ahead, 89% of consumers surveyed plan to spend the same or more on secondhand goods next year. Among U.S. eBay sellers, 45% say resale provides supplemental income.

Key Figures

Survey respondents: More than 10,500 consumers and more than 1,700 eBay sellers Secondhand shopping and household budgets: 70% Monthly secondhand purchases: 47%, up from 35% +5 more

Survey respondents

More than 10,500 consumers and more than 1,700 eBay sellers

Survey basis for the report

Secondhand shopping and household budgets

70%

Global consumers surveyed who consider it important

Monthly secondhand purchases

47%, up from 35%

Consumers who buy secondhand goods at least monthly; compared with 2025

Planned secondhand spending

89%

Consumers who plan to spend the same or more next year

Younger consumers expecting to buy more

53% vs. 36%

Consumers aged 18–29 vs. consumers overall over the next 12 months

Secondhand importance for U.S. household budgets

36% vs. 28%

U.S. consumers saying very important vs. global consumers

U.S. sellers reporting supplemental income

45%

eBay sellers surveyed

U.S. sellers reporting vital household income support

25%

eBay sellers surveyed

AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

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SAN JOSE, Calif., Oct. 7, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, eBay released its 2026 Recommerce Report, new global research showing that secondhand shopping is becoming a more deeply embedded part of everyday life. The research indicates that consumers around the world are increasingly turning to recommerce for value, selection, sustainability and connection.

Based on surveys of more than 10,500 consumers and more than 1,700 eBay sellers across several markets, the report demonstrates a meaningful shift in the role of recommerce: what was once a more occasional or discretionary way to shop is increasingly becoming an engrained part of how consumers and eBay sellers manage household budgets and make everyday purchasing decisions.

Among the report's key global findings:

• 70% of global consumers surveyed consider secondhand shopping important for managing their household budgets.
• 47% say they buy secondhand goods at least monthly, up from 35% in 2025.
• 76% say they have shopped for secondhand products in the past year.
• 89% plan to spend the same or more on secondhand goods next year.
• Younger consumers continue to lead the shift, with 53% of 18–29-year-olds expecting to buy more secondhand products over the next 12 months, compared with 36% overall.

For the first time, eBay's research shows U.S. consumers place greater importance on secondhand for managing household budgets than consumers globally. In the U.S., 36% of consumers surveyed say secondhand is "very important" to managing their household budgets, compared with 28% globally. The new research shows the meaningful role recommerce can play for sellers, too: 45% of U.S. eBay sellers say resale provides supplemental income, while 25% say the money from their sales has provided vital support for their household income. With millions of sellers from around the world on the platform and approximately 70% of eBay sales coming from small businesses, these findings underscore how recommerce is increasingly helping people stretch their budgets as buyers while also creating economic opportunity for sellers.

"Recommerce has been core to our marketplace for 30 years, and this year's report makes clear that its role in people's lives is only growing," said Jamie Iannone, Chief Executive Officer at eBay. "With more than 2 billion live eBay listings, consumers around the world are embracing secondhand for the affordability, quality, trust, and discovery it offers. eBay is proud to help power that global shift by connecting people with the products they love and the economic opportunity that recommerce creates."

The report also points to several forces shaping the next chapter of recommerce:

• There is significant opportunity to unlock more supply: 85% of surveyed eBay sellers source secondhand inventory from their own belongings, highlighting the potential to bring more of the items sitting in homes and closets back into circulation. 
• At the same time, sustainability remains a powerful part of the story, with 83% of consumers surveyed agreeing that recommerce has real environmental benefits. 
• And as recommerce grows more social and interactive, 54% of consumers say community and shared connections, like live shopping, are important to their secondhand shopping experience.

About the Research
The 2026 Recommerce Report is based on two surveys conducted online in partnership with Bounce Insights, a leading agile research platform. The external survey included 10,522 consumers across the U.S., U.K., Germany, Poland, France, Italy, Spain, Australia, Austria, and Japan. The survey fieldwork took place between July 9, 2026 and July 27, 2026. Respondents included consumers who have engaged in recommerce, defined as individuals who have bought pre-loved or secondhand goods. In addition, a survey of 1,707 eBay sellers was conducted between July 15, 2026 and August 10, 2026 across the U.S., U.K., Germany, France, Italy, Australia, and Japan. Respondents included active eBay sellers who have engaged in recommerce by selling pre-loved or secondhand goods on the platform.

About eBay
eBay Inc. (Nasdaq: EBAY) is a global commerce leader that connects people and builds communities to create economic opportunity for all. Our technology empowers millions of buyers and sellers in more than 190 markets around the world, providing everyone the opportunity to grow and thrive. Founded in 1995 in San Jose, California, eBay is one of the world's largest and most vibrant marketplaces for discovering great value and unique selection. In 2025, eBay enabled $80 billion of gross merchandise volume. For more information about the company and its global portfolio of online brands, visit www.ebayinc.com.

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SOURCE eBay Inc.

FAQ

AI-generated questions and answers. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

What did eBay's 2026 Recommerce Report find about secondhand shopping?

Among global consumers surveyed, 47% buy secondhand goods at least monthly, up from 35% in 2025. Also, 70% consider secondhand shopping important for managing household budgets, while 89% plan to spend the same or more on secondhand goods next year.

How do younger consumers' secondhand shopping plans compare in eBay's 2026 report?

Among surveyed 18–29-year-olds, 53% expect to buy more secondhand products over the next 12 months, compared with 36% overall.

Where do eBay sellers source secondhand inventory in the 2026 Recommerce Report?

85% of surveyed eBay sellers source secondhand inventory from their own belongings.

What does eBay's 2026 Recommerce Report say about sustainability and community?

83% of consumers surveyed agree that recommerce has environmental benefits. Separately, 54% say community and shared connections, such as live shopping, are important to their secondhand shopping experience.