Corrections & Clarifications: An incorrect statistic was given regarding the percentage of shoppers planning to allocate part of their holiday budget for secondhand items. The correct figure is 68%.

Recent surveys indicate a shift in consumer attitudes towards giving and receiving secondhand gifts, particularly during the holiday season.

A study conducted by Wakefield and commissioned by Amazon found that 59% of individuals check for secondhand options when shopping online first.

Young shoppers are spearheading the trend towards purchasing used items. According to the same study, 79% of Gen Z and 75% of Millennials are on the lookout for pre-owned products, whereas only 61% of Gen X and 32% of Baby Boomers report doing the same.

Affordable Prices for Pre-owned Products

The survey “shows a growing interest in budget-friendly shopping options that prolong the life of products, particularly among younger consumers,” said Gopal Pillai, Amazon’s Worldwide Returns and ReCommerce Vice President, to YSL News.

Amazon offers a service called Amazon Resale, which provides discounts on used, pre-owned, or open-box items. Products are available in various conditions and priced accordingly. Some items listed on Amazon Resale come from customer returns that have passed quality checks for resale, as stated by the company.

The Stigma of Secondhand Shopping Fades

According to Ted Rossman, a senior industry analyst at Bankrate, the perception of secondhand shopping is changing positively among younger consumers. “While you might not immediately think of Gen Z-ers as thrifty shoppers, many engage in the hunt for bargains that can evoke nostalgia, akin to a treasure hunt, while also saving money,” he explained to YSL News.

Another survey by the online marketplace OfferUp supports this trend, indicating that 75% of shoppers believe secondhand gifting is more socially acceptable now than it was a year ago, reflecting a 7% increase from the previous year in OfferUp’s 2024 Holiday Recommerce Report.

According to OfferUp, 68% of shoppers plan to allocate part of their holiday budget for secondhand items, with that percentage increasing to 83% among Gen Z shoppers.

On the receiving end, 70% of consumers expressed openness to receiving secondhand gifts this holiday season.

The rising cost of living is influencing these decisions, as 63% of respondents cited inflation as a reason for leaning towards secondhand gifts, according to OfferUp.

Ken Murphy, OfferUp’s senior vice president of product, highlighted, “The trend toward accepting secondhand gifts is not just a temporary phase; it has been building over time and is now influencing holiday shopping choices.” He added, “It’s not solely about saving money; shoppers are also recognizing that buying used items offers unique, high-quality options, with most recipients appreciating thoughtful pre-loved gifts. The data indicates that shoppers are seeking deeper meaning and value in their holiday purchases, which secondhand shopping can provide without overspending.”

Parents Opting for Secondhand Gifts for Their Kids

The Amazon/Wakefield survey also revealed that parents are more inclined to purchase pre-owned items than those without children, with 72% of parents shopping secondhand compared to just 52% of consumers without kids. Among parents, 38% feel that these items offer uniqueness, while 25% believe they are of higher quality.

A recent NerdWallet study found that parents of kids under 18 experienced pressure to spend more on holiday gifts, with an average planned expenditure of $1,070, compared to $860 for other parents with older children.

In this study, 15% of participants indicated they would opt for some secondhand gifts.

Thrifting has surged in popularity among young people, and consumers are likely exploring inventive ways to give gifts without overspending. According to Kimberly Palmer, a personal finance expert with NerdWallet, “younger children are often indifferent about the origins of their gifts, making secondhand purchases or regifting viable options.”