Three quarters of Brits aged 18 to 27 intend to cut down on brand new buys by 32% in the next two years
A survey of 4,000 adults has revealed that a third of what Gen Z currently own is already second-hand, but three quarters intend to increase that number in the next two years.
A considerate 36% want to lessen their impact on the environment while 40% state they experience more of an endorphin rush when finding pre-owned items than buying them new.
Two thirds of Millennials, aged between 28 and 43, are also eager to buy more second-hand items in the next two years planning to cut down on their new purchases by 37%.
But it’s not just the younger generation with second-hand intentions; one in 10 Boomers have been inspired to follow a similar path.
A third of Gen Z prefer gifting second-hand or refurbished gifts to loved ones, with 43% believing they make more thoughtful, original or romantic presents. More importantly, they also believe the quality is often as good as buying new.
Sam Littlejohn, Head of Returns and Repairs at Amazon, which commissioned the survey, said: “It’s great to see people actively planning to purchase non-new items even more in the future.
“The second-hand economy is growing quickly, and as Christmas approaches, we expect to see a big uptick in people searching for refurbished or pre-loved items for their friends and family members.
“Plus, in many cases gifting this way means they can afford items that otherwise could have been out of their price range.”
The most sought-after second-hand items include personal tech, fashion accessories and home or kitchen gadgets. Interestingly, 30% of Gen Z prefer receiving second-hand gifts such as vintage records, retro clothes or old-school household furniture.
Gifts that involve restoring or repairing a cherished item also scored highly. As the study revealed that Gen Z prefers these over expensive perfumes or grand gestures designed for Instagram sharing.
Sam commented: “People are finding that such gifts show a level of care and thoughtfulness that stands out, especially in a time when individuality is cherished and people are looking for bargains.”
When it comes to sourcing quality pre-loved and refurbished items online, 17% of Gen Z trust social media influencers for advice and recommendations, compared to just 3% of Gen X.
However, 23% of Boomers maintain clutter-free homes by adhering to a ‘one-in-one-out’ policy; they donate or sell items they already own to make room for new ones.
Sam added: “It’s clear that pre-loved and refurbished gifts are celebrated as much for their quality as their uniqueness. This is reflected on our store – with sales of second-hand goods in the UK rising by 15% over the past two years alone.”
“As this trend continues, we expect to see it become a staple part of how people think about gifting, adding a new layer of meaning to special occasions.”
