Second-hand marketplaces have moved past casual peer-to-peer reselling. Many platforms now treat resale as a core business line, not a side activity. It also explains why recommerce now appears in ESG strategies and board-level plans.
In this article, we gathered eight second-hand marketplace trends that matter in 2026. It will help marketplace teams define a clear roadmap for the year ahead. If you build, scale, or redesign a second-hand marketplace, these trends will help you decide what to focus on and what to ignore.
Recommerce market overview
In this article, we gathered eight second-hand marketplace trends that matter in 2026. It will help marketplace teams define a clear roadmap for the year ahead. If you build, scale, or redesign a second-hand marketplace, these trends will help you decide what to focus on and what to ignore.
Recommerce market overview
Recommerce continues to grow, even as the market becomes more mature. Global second-hand sales across all categories reached about USD 188 billion in 2024. Projections point to roughly USD 310 billion by 2029. Growth has slowed compared with the early boom years, yet a 10–11% annual rate remains strong for a global retail segment. This pace signals stability, not hype.
Platforms focused only on second-hand trading represent a smaller but faster-growing layer. In 2025, these platforms generated an estimated USD 15–16 billion in transaction value. By 2029, that figure should reach USD 26–27 billion. A 14% annual growth rate shows that dedicated resale platforms outperform the broader recommerce market.
Fashion remains the main driver here. Second-hand apparel reached close to USD 200 billion in 2023. Analysts expect another USD 100 billion in volume by 2026. Other categories, such as electronics and furniture, now follow patterns first proven in resale fashion.
#1 Category expansion
Category expansion has become a visible move in recommerce. Early second-hand platforms focused almost only on fashion, because clothing is easy to ship and simple to price. Leading marketplaces now add electronics, home goods, kids’ items, hobbies, and collectibles to increase order frequency and customer lifetime value.
Roughly three-quarters of global resale volume now comes from categories outside fashion. Second-hand goods are on track to reach close to 8% of all retail sales and continue growing through 2030. For platforms, this matters because growth now depends less on new users and more on expanding what existing users can trade.
Vinted, for example, has expanded beyond clothing into electronics, home items, toys, games and books. As platforms widen their category scope, they must adapt search, pricing logic, and logistics to very different product behaviors. Category expansion, therefore, shapes the product roadmap, not just the catalog.
Several players already tested this model at scale. IKEA launched IKEA Preowned pilots in Europe. Customers list used IKEA furniture on a branded marketplace. The system adds official product images, dimensions, and assembly manuals automatically.
Fashion retailers follow a similar path. Zalando and Zara experiment with embedded resale. These programs respond to pressure around waste and overproduction. However, they also solve a commercial problem. Branded resale keeps customers inside the ecosystem instead of losing them to external marketplaces.
#3 More value-added services plugged into the platforms
Electronics platforms now handle repair, diagnostics, part replacement, cleaning, and repackaging as part of the standard flow. Devices pass through clear grading systems, usually marked as A, B, or C. This lowers risk for buyers and removes guesswork from pricing. Platforms earn not only when a device sells, but also when it gets restored and prepared for resale.
Some players push this model even further. Back Market opened repair platforms in several European countries that accept devices from anyone, not only existing customers. Repair works as an entry point. Resale becomes the next step, not the first one.
Fashion and furniture platforms follow a similar path. Many now offer brand-approved resale, refurbishment, scheduled delivery, and guaranteed buy-back. These services change how second-hand feels. Buyers no longer rely on individual sellers. They rely on the platform.
Large marketplaces now build verification into the transaction flow. eBay expanded its Authenticity Guarantee across watches, jewelry, handbags, sneakers, and trading cards. Items first ship to professional authenticators. Only after a multi-point inspection do they reach the buyer, along with a branded certificate. For buyers, the service feels simple. For platforms, it removes friction at higher price points.
Luxury-focused marketplaces follow the same logic. Vestiaire Collective and The RealReal rely on in-house experts to verify branded fashion and accessories. Second-hand luxury now represents roughly USD 50 billion and grows faster than primary luxury sales. Vestiaire Collective reported 25% revenue growth in 2023, while the wider luxury market grew by about 4%. Buyers accept premium prices when platforms remove the fear of fakes.
A clear example comes from eBay. In 2024, the platform introduced an AI listing tool that starts with a single photo. The system detects the item, suggests a category, writes the title and description, and proposes a price range. On mobile, this flow cut listing steps by about 50%.
Image recognition also improves listing quality. Many platforms now clean photos automatically by removing backgrounds or correcting lighting. Others scan barcodes, logos, or shapes to identify brand and model. This reduces errors and keeps catalogs consistent, which helps search and pricing later. The seller does less work. The platform gains better data.
#6 Agentic commerce and AI-powered discovery
Second-hand marketplaces once relied on filters and lists to help buyers find goods. In 2026, a new wave of platforms will use AI agents to change how users discover products. These tools go beyond search bars.
A clear example comes from Retrofit, a startup emerging from Y Combinator’s Winter 2025 cohort. Rather than expect shoppers to scroll endless listings, Retrofit’s AI examines trends, sales data, and personal preferences to surface inventory that fits individual style and needs. Users can tell the system what they want, and the AI will hunt for matching pieces.
This agent-led model solves a common pain in second-hand commerce: overwhelming choice and inconsistent listings. Instead of requiring deep knowledge of brands, eras, or condition codes, buyers get curated results tailored to them. The result feels less like search and more like shopping with a knowledgeable guide.
Some platforms built this model early. Poshmark introduced followers, sharing mechanics, and themed in-app events known as Posh Parties. These sessions bring users together at set times to browse and discuss listings around a theme. The format keeps users active and gives sellers visibility without paid promotion.
Research from eBay shows that 63% of consumers see themselves as part of a recommerce community. Many describe second-hand shopping as a social experience. The appeal comes from discovery and self-expression, not only price.
#8 Local and Community-Oriented Resale
Even as shipping networks improve, many second-hand transactions still happen close to home. Local resale meets needs that national platforms cannot replace. Buyers want to avoid shipping costs. Sellers prefer fast handovers. Both sides value the trust that comes from proximity.
Some platforms built their model around this logic. OfferUp and Letgo focused early on location-based discovery and in-person pickup. After their merger, local search remained the core experience. In many cities, they even partnered with local authorities to promote designated exchange zones.
Hyper-local recommerce persists because it solves practical problems. It reduces cost, keeps goods circulating nearby, and strengthens community ties. The strongest platforms now support both paths. Users can choose pickup or shipping, local or national reach. Local resale did not disappear in the digital age. It became more structured.
For teams building or evolving second-hand platforms, the challenge is prioritization. Not every trend fits every business. If you are planning a new recommerce platform, modernizing an existing one, or exploring resale as part of a broader ecosystem, these choices deserve a structured approach.
At Ulan Software, we work with teams that face these exact questions. We help translate recommerce trends into concrete platform design, architecture, and rollout plans. If your team is looking for practical ways to build, test, or scale fresh marketplace solutions, we are happy to help.
Platforms focused only on second-hand trading represent a smaller but faster-growing layer. In 2025, these platforms generated an estimated USD 15–16 billion in transaction value. By 2029, that figure should reach USD 26–27 billion. A 14% annual growth rate shows that dedicated resale platforms outperform the broader recommerce market.
Fashion remains the main driver here. Second-hand apparel reached close to USD 200 billion in 2023. Analysts expect another USD 100 billion in volume by 2026. Other categories, such as electronics and furniture, now follow patterns first proven in resale fashion.
#1 Category expansion
Category expansion has become a visible move in recommerce. Early second-hand platforms focused almost only on fashion, because clothing is easy to ship and simple to price. Leading marketplaces now add electronics, home goods, kids’ items, hobbies, and collectibles to increase order frequency and customer lifetime value.Roughly three-quarters of global resale volume now comes from categories outside fashion. Second-hand goods are on track to reach close to 8% of all retail sales and continue growing through 2030. For platforms, this matters because growth now depends less on new users and more on expanding what existing users can trade.
Vinted, for example, has expanded beyond clothing into electronics, home items, toys, games and books. As platforms widen their category scope, they must adapt search, pricing logic, and logistics to very different product behaviors. Category expansion, therefore, shapes the product roadmap, not just the catalog.
#2 Brands bring recommerce in-house
Large retailers no longer treat resale as an external channel. In 2026, many brands run buy-back and resale programs as part of their core assortment strategy. This applies to fashion, electronics, and home goods. The goal is control. Brands want to manage pricing, data, and customer relationships across the full product lifecycle.Several players already tested this model at scale. IKEA launched IKEA Preowned pilots in Europe. Customers list used IKEA furniture on a branded marketplace. The system adds official product images, dimensions, and assembly manuals automatically.
Fashion retailers follow a similar path. Zalando and Zara experiment with embedded resale. These programs respond to pressure around waste and overproduction. However, they also solve a commercial problem. Branded resale keeps customers inside the ecosystem instead of losing them to external marketplaces.
#3 More value-added services plugged into the platforms
Recommerce platforms no longer make money only by charging for listings. In 2026, revenue comes from what happens before and after the sale. Marketplaces still start with search and listings, but the real value sits in services wrapped around the transaction.
Electronics platforms now handle repair, diagnostics, part replacement, cleaning, and repackaging as part of the standard flow. Devices pass through clear grading systems, usually marked as A, B, or C. This lowers risk for buyers and removes guesswork from pricing. Platforms earn not only when a device sells, but also when it gets restored and prepared for resale.
Some players push this model even further. Back Market opened repair platforms in several European countries that accept devices from anyone, not only existing customers. Repair works as an entry point. Resale becomes the next step, not the first one.
Fashion and furniture platforms follow a similar path. Many now offer brand-approved resale, refurbishment, scheduled delivery, and guaranteed buy-back. These services change how second-hand feels. Buyers no longer rely on individual sellers. They rely on the platform.
#4 Authentication for expensive goods
A few years ago, buying a USD 500 designer bag or collectible sneakers online felt risky. Today, many buyers treat these purchases as normal because of platform-owned authentication.Large marketplaces now build verification into the transaction flow. eBay expanded its Authenticity Guarantee across watches, jewelry, handbags, sneakers, and trading cards. Items first ship to professional authenticators. Only after a multi-point inspection do they reach the buyer, along with a branded certificate. For buyers, the service feels simple. For platforms, it removes friction at higher price points.
Luxury-focused marketplaces follow the same logic. Vestiaire Collective and The RealReal rely on in-house experts to verify branded fashion and accessories. Second-hand luxury now represents roughly USD 50 billion and grows faster than primary luxury sales. Vestiaire Collective reported 25% revenue growth in 2023, while the wider luxury market grew by about 4%. Buyers accept premium prices when platforms remove the fear of fakes.
#5 AI shortens the sales path
Selling second-hand items often fails at the first step. Listing takes time, requires product knowledge, and forces sellers to make many small decisions. In 2026, platforms treat image recognition as core infrastructure, not a feature.A clear example comes from eBay. In 2024, the platform introduced an AI listing tool that starts with a single photo. The system detects the item, suggests a category, writes the title and description, and proposes a price range. On mobile, this flow cut listing steps by about 50%.
Image recognition also improves listing quality. Many platforms now clean photos automatically by removing backgrounds or correcting lighting. Others scan barcodes, logos, or shapes to identify brand and model. This reduces errors and keeps catalogs consistent, which helps search and pricing later. The seller does less work. The platform gains better data.
#6 Agentic commerce and AI-powered discovery
Second-hand marketplaces once relied on filters and lists to help buyers find goods. In 2026, a new wave of platforms will use AI agents to change how users discover products. These tools go beyond search bars. A clear example comes from Retrofit, a startup emerging from Y Combinator’s Winter 2025 cohort. Rather than expect shoppers to scroll endless listings, Retrofit’s AI examines trends, sales data, and personal preferences to surface inventory that fits individual style and needs. Users can tell the system what they want, and the AI will hunt for matching pieces.
This agent-led model solves a common pain in second-hand commerce: overwhelming choice and inconsistent listings. Instead of requiring deep knowledge of brands, eras, or condition codes, buyers get curated results tailored to them. The result feels less like search and more like shopping with a knowledgeable guide.
#7 Social commerce turns marketplaces into communities
Second-hand marketplaces no longer function only as places to transact. Many operate as social spaces where buying and selling overlap with identity, taste, and belonging. Users follow sellers, react to listings, share finds, and return even when they do not plan to buy. Commerce becomes a side effect of participation.Some platforms built this model early. Poshmark introduced followers, sharing mechanics, and themed in-app events known as Posh Parties. These sessions bring users together at set times to browse and discuss listings around a theme. The format keeps users active and gives sellers visibility without paid promotion.
Research from eBay shows that 63% of consumers see themselves as part of a recommerce community. Many describe second-hand shopping as a social experience. The appeal comes from discovery and self-expression, not only price.
#8 Local and Community-Oriented Resale
Even as shipping networks improve, many second-hand transactions still happen close to home. Local resale meets needs that national platforms cannot replace. Buyers want to avoid shipping costs. Sellers prefer fast handovers. Both sides value the trust that comes from proximity.Some platforms built their model around this logic. OfferUp and Letgo focused early on location-based discovery and in-person pickup. After their merger, local search remained the core experience. In many cities, they even partnered with local authorities to promote designated exchange zones.
Hyper-local recommerce persists because it solves practical problems. It reduces cost, keeps goods circulating nearby, and strengthens community ties. The strongest platforms now support both paths. Users can choose pickup or shipping, local or national reach. Local resale did not disappear in the digital age. It became more structured.
What these trends mean for your recommerce roadmap
Taken together, these eight trends point to a clear conclusion. Recommerce platforms are no longer simple marketplaces. They are evolving into complex systems that combine logistics, services, trust infrastructure, AI, and community mechanics. Growth no longer comes from adding more listings. It comes from better flows, better data, and better decisions about where the platform creates value.For teams building or evolving second-hand platforms, the challenge is prioritization. Not every trend fits every business. If you are planning a new recommerce platform, modernizing an existing one, or exploring resale as part of a broader ecosystem, these choices deserve a structured approach.
At Ulan Software, we work with teams that face these exact questions. We help translate recommerce trends into concrete platform design, architecture, and rollout plans. If your team is looking for practical ways to build, test, or scale fresh marketplace solutions, we are happy to help.
