Britain’s second-hand shopping boom has grown into a £4.3 billion economy that’s reshaping retail, according to new research carried out by the Centre for Economics Business Research (CEBR) and commissioned by Amazon. The report, which included a survey of 10,000 adults across Europe, reveals UK consumers saved £5.6 billion in 2024 by choosing pre-owned products, with three key factors fuelling this transition: increasing cost-of-living pressures, wider availability of pre-owned products, and heightened consideration of environmental issues among shoppers.
The economic story: second-hand growth
The research by CEBR projects this thriving online trade in second-hand goods will expand from £4.3 billion in 2024, to £4.8 billion in the UK this year. This market, which kept more than 199 million products in UK circulation last year, includes used products, ‘open-box’ items (where an item has been returned unused), and refurbished products, where a pre-owned product is inspected, cleaned, and repaired or had other small work done to return it to near-new condition. The study reveals second-hand products now account for 34%-45% of UK spending within some of the most popular categories including tech, fashion and home appliances.
Average monthly spending on pre-loved goods has more than doubled over five years, climbing 113% from £58.40 to £124.80 a month. Furthermore, 27% of online second-hand purchases in the UK represent sales that would not have happened without the used option being available. This shows how resale channels can create new buying opportunities that might not otherwise occur.
“At Amazon, we believe that putting returned items back on sale isn’t just good for the planet and for business – it’s what our customers want,” said John Boumphrey, Amazon UK Country Manager. “Our Second Chance sales in the UK and across Europe, including from Amazon Resale and Amazon Renewed, exceeded €2 billion (£1.7 billion) in 2024, as we have expanded our used product selection. It’s clear that providing trustworthy, convenient access to quality, pre-owned items is resonating with today’s more conscious customers.”
Consumer behaviour: why Britons choose second-hand
The research highlights three key drivers behind this shift: cost-of-living pressures (31%), expanded product selection (26%), and growing environmental awareness (25%). Two-thirds (65%) of Britons bought second-hand goods online last year, with clothing (54%), smartphones and tablets (26%), and small household appliances (24%) leading the way.
Demographics reveal an evolving market, with 74% of people aged 34 and under embracing second-hand shopping compared to 52% of over-55s. Perhaps most telling, 27% of Britons no longer believe that new is inherently better than used – signalling a meaningful shift in consumer attitudes. Instead, priorities are shifting toward practicality, affordability, and environmental responsibility.
Amazon’s Second Chance: building trust in pre-owned
Despite growing popularity, barriers remain. The report identifies product condition concerns (43%), lack of warranties (39%), and seller trust (29%) as key obstacles preventing wider adoption.
“Britons are turning to second-hand shopping in large numbers, but to supercharge the sector’s growth, customers need to trust buying a used product as much as buying new,” said Sam Littlejohn, Amazon’s Head of Returns and Repairs. “The Amazon Resale team works hands-on to inspect and refurbish every item, delivering a reliable experience backed by Amazon’s customer service and return policies.”
Amazon’s Second Chance offerings include:
- Amazon Resale – returned products (quality used, refurbished or open-box) sold at discounted prices with Amazon’s delivery, customer service and convenient returns.
- Amazon Renewed – expertly refurbished products from qualified selling partners at great prices, all backed by the Amazon Renewed Guarantee.
- Luxury Stores at Amazon – pre-loved fashion including Hardly Ever Worn It for designer items and RESPONSIBLE for premium streetwear.
Amazon is accelerating the shift to a circular economy by making it easier for customers to buy pre-owned items, trade in devices, repair products, and recycle responsibly. This commitment is part of Amazon’s broader sustainability goals as co-founder of The Climate Pledge – a commitment to reach net-zero carbon by 2040. To achieve this, Amazon is decarbonising its global operations, investing in carbon-free energy, investing in electric vehicles in its transportation network, reducing packaging and minimising waste, and investing in climate innovations through The Climate Pledge Fund.
