eBay 2026 Report Shows Secondhand Shopping Is Core Budget Strategy

Global consumers are increasingly relying on secondhand shopping to manage household budgets, with U.S. shoppers showing the highest reliance. eBay’s 2026 Recommerce Report finds 70 percent of global consumers consider secondhand shopping important for this purpose. In the United States, 36 percent of consumers surveyed say it is 'very important' for managing their household budgets. That compares to a global average of 28 percent who say the same. The findings signal a shift from occasional to essential behavior as inflation pressures persist worldwide.

Growth in frequency and future intent

More consumers are buying secondhand monthly and plan to maintain or increase spending. 47 percent of global respondents now purchase secondhand goods at least monthly, a significant jump from 35 percent just a year earlier in 2025. 76 percent have shopped for secondhand products in the past year. Future intent is strong. 89 percent plan to spend the same or more on secondhand goods next year. Younger demographics are driving this trend. 53 percent of 18- to 29-year-olds expect to buy more secondhand products over the next 12 months. Among all shoppers globally, 36 percent share that expectation.

Sellers see economic and community value

For many eBay sellers, resale is not only side income but vital household support, often sourced from personal belongings. 45 percent of U.S. eBay sellers said resale provides supplemental income. A quarter stated the money from their sales has provided 'vital support for their household income.' Approximately 70 percent of eBay sales come from small businesses. 85 percent of eBay sellers source their secondhand inventory from their own belongings. Buyers also find value beyond the transaction. 54 percent of consumers said community and shared connections are important to their secondhand shopping experience.

Environmental trust and scale drive adoption

Consumers widely acknowledge recommerce’s environmental benefits, backed by eBay’s massive marketplace scale. 83 percent of shoppers polled agreed that recommerce 'has real environmental benefits.' eBay’s platform, with more than 2 billion live listings, provides the scale to make this impact tangible. The report highlights the potential to bring more items from homes and closets back into circulation. The external consumer survey included 10,522 respondents from markets including the U.S., U.K., Germany, Poland, France, Italy, Spain, Australia, Austria, and Japan. Fieldwork took place between July 9 and July 27, 2026. A separate seller survey included 1,707 respondents from the U.S., U.K., Germany, France, Italy, Australia, and Japan between July 15 and August 10, 2026.

eBay leadership frames the shift

The report’s authors confirm secondhand shopping is evolving from discretionary to embedded in daily life for value, selection, sustainability and connection. They state that what was once occasional shopping is increasingly becoming an engrained part of how consumers manage household budgets. Recommerce is increasingly helping people stretch their budgets as buyers while creating economic opportunity for sellers. eBay CEO Jamie Iannone said: 'With more than 2 billion live eBay listings, consumers around the world are embracing secondhand for the affordability, quality, trust and discovery it offers.' Consumers are turning to recommerce for value, selection, sustainability and connection while stretching their budgets as buyers and creating economic opportunity for sellers.