eBay sees second-hand shopping surge amid cost of living crisis

New research by eBay Ads UK has found that consumers are increasingly turning to shopping for second-hand goods as the cost of living crisis deepens and “climate consciousness” increases.

The survey of 1,000 UK consumers aged 16-plus, which was carried out by Censuswide on behalf of eBay between 29 April – 3 May 2022, found that 30% of consumers are having to make more considered purchases to get better value for money, and a fifth (19%) are buying more second-hand items to save money.

One area of fashion driven by online is the resale market, with 25% of UK consumers buying second-hand fashion in 2021.

A quarter of those surveyed said that they try to upcycle or repair their current belongings before buying anything new, and 20% report that they frequently buy second-hand, upcycled or refurbished items.

As the rising cost of living sees energy bills, fuel and food prices continue to climb, more UK consumers are turning to second-hand shopping and upcycling in order to make ends meet, as well as minimise their environmental impact.

As consumers increasingly look to get thrifty and responsible with their shopping habits, the new report says that retailers need to be mindful of the evolving demands of customers and showcase their understanding of shopping priorities.

However, the factors driving changes in shopping behaviours are creating new opportunities for retailers in the circular economy.

Elisabeth Rommel, Global General Manager at eBay Ads, commented: “Between the rising cost of living and a growing desire to make more sustainable purchases, UK consumers are increasingly thinking about how they can be savvy with their shopping.

“With upcycling, buying second-hand, and more sustainably sourced products all rising on shoppers’ agendas, retailers in turn need to be adapting to these evolving preferences in order to engage their customers and contribute to the circular economy.

“Whether it be offering a repair service, starting a second-hand shop, or making packing and materials more sustainable - retailers must tap into what really matters to consumers today, and communicate sustainability credentials clearly in their marketing and product information.”

The insights from eBay Ads UK also demonstrate that shoppers are actively searching for more environmentally friendly products, as searches for the term ‘biodegradable’ rose 59% in January 2022 compared to the previous month.

For retailers looking to improve their sustainability practices, packaging, location and recyclability of product are the three top priorities to take into account in terms of lessening environmental impact.

Some 37% of the survey respondents said sustainable packaging was important, 30% cite shopping locally as being of greater significance and 30% consider the recyclability of a product.

In addition, more than one in five (22%) report that they are conscious of discarding and sending items to landfill when they could be repaired, recycled or sold on, and 19% said that they try to avoid fast fashion brands or brands that they consider to be unethical.

The new research comes following the recent announcement that Love Island has partnered with eBay UK, with this year’s islanders wearing pre-loved clothes instead of fast fashion brands.