As people around the world become increasingly concerned about the environmental impacts of their consumer habits, the resale market is expanding and gaining momentum. In 2022, Australia’s second-hand items economy was valued at over 60 billion Australian dollars. Over 85 percent of Australian households have unwanted or unused items, with earnings from selling these items estimated at around seven thousand Australian dollars per household in 2022. With more and more consumers utilizing the opportunities afforded by the country’s resale sector in recent years, Australia is entering a new era of second-hand buying and selling as economic pressures and ecological concerns shift consumer purchasing behavior.
Second-hand office furniture, home décor, and dining tables were among some of the used items that Australians considered purchasing in 2022. Upcycling is also becoming more popular across Australia, with people increasingly refurbishing and repairing old furniture items. Nonetheless, many second-hand buyers admitted that barriers such as insufficient DIY knowledge, as well as lack of time and money, stopped them from upcycling an item.
Resale market leaders in Australia
Online marketplaces are by far the most popular method for selling second-hand items in Australia, with garage sales and flea markets coming in second. Leading resale platforms in Australia include eBay, Amazon, Gumtree, Kogan, Catch, MyDeal, and Depop. In 2022, eBay and Amazon were the top two online retailers and marketplaces purchased from by online shoppers in Australia, with over 100 thousand downloads of the eBay app recorded nationwide in January 2022.Why is Australia’s circular economy gaining momentum?
In tandem with inflating living costs, Australia’s resale market is becoming an essential way for people to not only develop more sustainable consumption behaviors but also save money in increasingly expensive times. Many online resale marketplaces in Australia have reported increased activity across various categories as conscious household spending becomes a necessity for several consumers, with heating costs and food bills on the rise. The leading benefits of trading items in the second-hand circular economy identified by consumers included reducing and recycling items, decluttering the house, and giving items a second life.What are the most common second-hand purchases in Australia?
Some of Australia’s most popular second-hand items include clothing, shoes, accessories, games, toys, and furniture. Fashion resale is one of the biggest second-hand markets in Australia, with around three-quarters of Aussies saying they had purchased pre-owned clothing in 2022. That same year, over 85 percent of Australians reported having between one and twenty unused fashion items in their households. With many consumers giving their unused clothing items to charitable organizations or re-selling online, a new economic model is slowly being established within the clothing industry.Second-hand office furniture, home décor, and dining tables were among some of the used items that Australians considered purchasing in 2022. Upcycling is also becoming more popular across Australia, with people increasingly refurbishing and repairing old furniture items. Nonetheless, many second-hand buyers admitted that barriers such as insufficient DIY knowledge, as well as lack of time and money, stopped them from upcycling an item.
