Tight Budgets Drive Surge In Secondhand Shopping, Survey Shows

Faced with rising financial pressures, Americans are cutting back on discretionary spending and embracing thrift shopping in record numbers, according to a new survey released ahead of National Thrifting Day on Aug. 17.

The survey of 2,000 U.S. adults, conducted by Talker Research and commissioned by online marketplace Mercari, revealed that Americans report a 42% drop in their fun budgets over the past year. In response, 66% of respondents now turn to thrifting regularly to help stretch their dollars, with 17% shopping secondhand as often as once per week. Gen Z leads the trend, with 28% thrifting weekly, and 22% of all thrifters reporting they prefer to do it online.

More than a quarter of thrifters (26%) started secondhand shopping in the past year alone, underscoring the trends growing popularity. While saving money was the most commonly cited motivation (72%), half of all thrift shoppers said they enjoy the thrill of finding a good deal. Others said they hunt for one-of-a-kind items (42%), collectible goods (28%), or simply enjoy the atmosphere (30%).

“As the data shows, thrifting is multidimensional,” said Jeff LeBeau, vice president of growth at Mercari. “Its something people are doing to spend responsibility [sic] these days, but it’s also a hobby for many. Not only is it an affordable option for shoppers due to financial constraints, but thrifters also just thrift for the fun of it, and to find unique deals. From clothes to video games to books to furniture, most everyone has something they enjoy browsing for when thrifting.” 

Clothing is the most commonly thrifted category, with 71% of respondents buying apparel secondhand, followed by home décor (45%), books (40%), home goods (39%), shoes (31%), collectibles (30%) and furniture (26%). On average, respondents estimated that more than a third (34%) of their belongings were purchased secondhand.

For many, thrift shopping also counts as self-care. More than half of all respondents (57%) said they consider secondhand shopping a wellness activity — a figure that jumps to 70% among Gen Z. Thirty-seven percent of thrifters said they typically visit multiple stores during a single outing, while 29% enjoy thrifting with a friend, and 25% said a beverage in hand is part of their ritual.

Thrifters also shared their proudest scores, from designer jackets bought for $34 to collectible plates, childhood bikes, and tools worth hundreds of dollars.

“Its not unusual to walk away from thrifting with a killer deal,” said LeBeau. “That’s part of the joy of thrifting — searching for and finding something that’s perfect for you, at a price you can afford. And with the rise of online thrifting, American consumers now have more opportunities than ever to discover incredible bargains.”