eBay report finds recommerce is increasingly part of routine shopping
eBay's 2026 Recommerce Report says second-hand shopping has become a more deeply embedded part of everyday life. A survey of more than 10,500 consumers and 1,700 sellers across 10 markets found that 76% bought second-hand items in the past year and 47% do so at least monthly. Many respondents cited budget management and environmental benefits as reasons for choosing recommerce.
eBay's 2026 Recommerce Report draws on responses from over 10,500 shoppers and 1,700 sellers in ten markets. It found 70% see pre-owned buying as useful for household budgeting, while 47% shop that way monthly, up from 35% a year earlier. 76% had bought used items in the prior year, and 89% planned to spend the same or more next year.
Younger adults appear especially open to growth: 53% of 18-29 year olds expected to buy more used goods in the next year, versus 36% overall. 83% linked recommerce to ecological gains, 54% valued its community aspect, and 85% of sellers sourced inventory from their own possessions.
This trend could affect households seeking affordable goods, sellers monetizing unused items, and younger shoppers shaping future habits. If recommerce keeps growing, it may ease some budget strain and extend product lifecycles, potentially lowering resource use tied to new manufacturing. Platforms and traditional retailers may need to adapt to changing expectations around price, trust, and availability. The scale of any environmental or economic benefit would depend on how much additional inventory enters circulation and whether buyers maintain confidence in resale quality.