The ThredUp Resale Report 2025 highlights how secondhand and resale markets are becoming a central pillar of the global fashion system, driven by shifting consumer behaviour, economic pressures, and growing awareness of sustainability impacts. For brands resale strategies are becoming a key lever for their competitiveness in the market.

According to the report, the global secondhand apparel market is projected to reach USD 367 billion by 2029, growing at a pace significantly faster than the broader apparel market. In the United States alone, the online resale market is expected to reach USD 40 billion by 2029, expanding at a rate 8 times faster than traditional retail.

Consumer adoption continues to accelerate. The report shows that almost 60% of consumers bought secondhand apparel in 2024, with younger generations leading the trend. Gen Z and Millennials are the most active participants, driven not only by affordability but also by environmental concerns and the desire for more circular consumption models.

Economic factors are playing a key role. With inflation and cost-of-living pressures affecting purchasing decisions, secondhand is increasingly viewed as a smart and resilient alternative to buying new. At the same time, brands are responding: the report notes that more than 35% of retail executives say that they currently allow customers to shop secondhand through a social commerce platform, signalling a shift toward circular business models integrated into core strategies.

From a sustainability perspective, resale is positioned as a critical lever to reduce the environmental footprint of fashion. Extending the life of garments helps lower demand for virgin materials, reduce waste, and mitigate emissions associated with production. For brands, it also means better managing textile waste in accordance with the latest legislation about producer responsibility.

The findings of the ThredUp Resale Report 2025 underscore a broader transformation of the fashion ecosystem—one in which reuse, durability, and value retention are becoming mainstream. For policymakers, brands, and ecosystem actors, resale represents both a market opportunity and a concrete pathway toward more sustainable and resilient textile systems.