A groundbreaking joint report by Boston Consulting Group (BCG) and Vestiaire Collective, released in October 2025, reveals that the global secondhand fashion and luxury market is now a $210–220 billion industry, on track to reach $320–360 billion by 2030. With an annual growth rate of 10%, secondhand is expanding three times faster than the traditional firsthand market, and it now accounts for 8% of all fashion and luxury sales, a figure projected to rise to 10% by the end of the decade.
The Secondhand Boom
According to a survey of 7,800 members of the Vestiaire Collective community, secondhand fashion and luxury have become mainstream behaviors. Nearly 28% of the average closet is now made up of secondhand purchases, and more than half (55%) of those purchases occur through online multibrand resale platforms like Vestiaire Collective, The RealReal, or Vinted. Categories such as handbags (40%) and clothing (30%) show the highest…
resale penetration—evidence that today’s consumers see resale as a central component of their wardrobes.
Europe is currently leading the global shift, with favorable regulation driving circularity and growth, while the US market is noted for being particularly transactional and value-focused, with 66% of US handbags owned secondhand compared to 39% in Europe.
In both regions, digital platforms are at the core of secondhand’s rapid mainstream adoption. What’s Driving Secondhand Growth? Affordability is the primary motivation, with 78% of buyers citing value for money as their top reason for turning to the resale market.
For many, secondhand provides the only way to access luxury brands that would otherwise be out of reach. Over half of respondents prefer premium labels secondhand rather than opting for more affordable firsthand items. The thrill of discovery, unique assortment, and sustainability—cited by 40% of buyers—also drive engagement…
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