Boston Consulting Group (BCG) and Vestiaire Collective, the leading global platform for pre-loved luxury fashion, have released the 2025 report Resale’s Next Chapter: How Fashion and Luxury Brands Can Win in the Secondhand Market. Based on a survey of 7,800 Vestiaire Collective users, the study shows that secondhand items already make up 28% of respondents’ wardrobes—rising to 30% for clothing and 40% for handbags.
According to the report, the global secondhand fashion and luxury market is rapidly expanding and could reach 360 billion USD by 2030. With an annual growth rate of around 10%, the resale segment is developing three times faster than the market for new products.
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What drives consumers to buy and sell secondhand
“Whether driven by the wish to find pre-loved fashion at accessible prices or the joy of discovering unique pieces, resale has become a fundamental part of how people shop and build their wardrobes. Today, it is a conscious choice,” said Fanny Moizant, co-founder and president of Vestiaire Collective.
Felix Krueger, managing director and partner at BCG, added: “As the resale market grows three times faster than the market for new products, it has evolved from an experimental space into a strategic one. Many brands now see it as a key channel for attracting new customers, with Generation Z and other consumers leading the shift.”
Financial accessibility remains the primary motivator—nearly 80% of respondents identify price as the key factor. But other reasons also stand out: about 55% value the variety and uniqueness of secondhand items; almost half enjoy the hunt and the sense of community; roughly 40% consider sustainability an essential motivation.
On the selling side, wardrobe detoxing is the top trigger (66%), while financial motivations remain strong: 41% sell to earn money, 44% to fund future secondhand purchases, and 18% to afford new items.
“From the beginning, we envisioned a circular future for fashion, where every item can have multiple lives. At Vestiaire Collective, we help brands embrace circularity and offer customers transparent, enjoyable resale experiences,” noted Fanny Moizant.
Photo: freepik.com
