The online second-hand market in Germany has seen a significant uptick, with sales reaching an estimated 9.9 billion euros last year, marking a 7.2% increase from the previous year, according to a market analysis by the German Trade Association (HDE). This growth outpaces the 3.8% increase in sales of new goods online, which totaled 88.8 billion euros, highlighting the niche but growing segment of second-hand goods in the broader e-commerce landscape.
Since 2019, revenues from online sales of second-hand items have nearly doubled, starting from 5.7 billion euros. The trend is particularly pronounced in categories such as clothing and books, but also extends to electronics, furniture, garden tools, and toys. Stephan Tromp, an HDE expert, notes the increasing importance of the second-hand sector, especially in textiles, as consumers look to stretch their budgets further by opting for more affordable used items.
Environmental advocates have welcomed the trend towards second-hand purchases as a positive step towards climate protection, with each reused item representing a reduction in demand for new products. However, they caution that the share of second-hand goods in the overall market remains small, and the continued flood of new products onto the market undermines efforts to achieve climate goals. Viola Wohlgemuth of Fashion Revolution criticizes large retailers for treating second-hand offerings as a token gesture towards sustainability, rather than a core part of their business strategy.
Looking ahead, the HDE has also provided an optimistic forecast for conventional online retail, predicting a 4% increase in sales this year compared to 2024. This growth is partly attributed to the rising online purchases of groceries and drugstore items. Meanwhile, the second-hand market, though growing, remains a fraction of the total online trade, underscoring the challenges and opportunities in shifting consumer habits towards more sustainable consumption patterns.
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