The resale market is no longer just a side hustle for most - it’s a multi-billion dollar industry growing 3x faster than traditional retail (Consumer Edge). With shifting consumer behaviours, economic trends, and advancements in resale technology, sellers who stay ahead of these changes will dominate the market.

This report will break down:
✅ Where the resale industry is heading
✅ The biggest buyer trends reshaping secondhand shopping
✅ Emerging high-profit resale categories
✅ How automation and AI are transforming reselling
✅ Actionable strategies to future-proof your business in 2025

Let’s dive in.

The State of Reselling in 2025: Key Industry Growth Stats

The global resale market is projected to reach $350 billion by 2027, up from $177 billion in 2022, according to ThredUp’s 2024 Resale Report. This massive growth is driven by:

• Shifting consumer habits – Buyers now prefer secondhand over new.

• Retail brands entering resale – Luxury brands like Gucci and Louis Vuitton are investing in authenticated secondhand sales.

• Economic pressures – More people are looking for affordable, high-quality alternatives to new retail.

Fast Facts: The Future of Reselling

• By 2030, secondhand shopping will make up 18% of the global apparel market.

• Luxury resale is seeing record demand, with Rolex, Chanel, and Hermes leading the category.

• Streetwear and vintage fashion continue to be top-performing resale categories.

  
  

Who’s Buying? The Biggest Consumer Trends in Resale Right Now

1. Gen Z & Millennials Are Driving Growth

• 74% of Gen Z prefer to buy secondhand over new for sustainability and affordability reasons (Vogue Business, 2024).

• Millennials are reshaping fashion consumption, shifting toward circular fashion instead of fast fashion.

• Women are dominating second hand purchases, while men drive luxury resale (watches, sneakers, and high-end tech).

2. The Rise of High-Income Resale Buyers

Resale is no longer just for budget-conscious shoppers.

• 36% of resale buyers make over $100K per year and shop secondhand for luxury, collectibles, and unique finds (ThredUp, 2024).

• "Resale exclusivity" is a growing trend – people seek rare, limited-edition items unavailable in traditional retail.

3. Sustainability is a Top Purchase Driver

• 50% of consumers say sustainability impacts their purchase decisions.

• Luxury brands are launching their own resale platforms to control the secondhand market.

💡 What this means for Sellers:

• Target high-income buyers by listing luxury and rare finds.

• Emphasise eco-conscious selling by mentioning sustainability in listings.

• Offer authentication services for high-ticket items like designer bags & sneakers.

📌 The Hottest Resale Categories for 2025

While fashion remains the largest resale category, new niches are emerging.

1. Vintage & Streetwear Fashion (Still #1)

🔥 Best-sellers: Y2K fashion, 90s sportswear, luxury handbags
📈 Profit margin: 50-80%

2. Sneakers & High-End Footwear

🔥 Best-sellers: Limited edition Jordans, Yeezys, Nike Dunks
📈 Profit margin: 30-100% (rare sneakers can resell for 10x their retail price!)

3. Luxury Watches & Jewelry

🔥 Best-sellers: Rolex, Cartier, Omega watches
📈 Profit margin: 40-100%

4. Tech & Retro Electronics

🔥 Best-sellers: Old-school gaming consoles (PS2, GameCube), iPhones, DSLR cameras
📈 Profit margin: 30-70%

5. Home Goods & Designer Decor

🔥 Best-sellers: Vintage furniture, high-end cookware (Le Creuset, All-Clad)
📈 Profit margin: 50-100%

💡 What this means for Sellers:

• Diversify inventory by selling in emerging high-profit categories.

• Sourcing smart – luxury, vintage, and tech items hold value better than fast fashion.

How AI & Automation are Reshaping Reselling in 2025

The biggest game-changer in resale?

• Automated multi-channel selling with Shopfront! Instead of manually listing on multiple marketplaces, Shopfront allows sellers to list once and sync everywhere instantly. This means:

  • No more double-work - list across eBay, Depop, Facebook Marketplace, Grailed, and Carousell (with more platforms coming soon).

  • Automated inventory updates - never oversell or run out of stock again.

  • One-click relisting & delisting - keep listings fresh and in sync.

• Also, AI-powered image editing with Shopfront – because better photos means more sales. Shopfront’s AI image enhancement automatically:

  • Removes cluttered backgrounds - making your product the star of the listing.

  • Enhances lighting and colour - creating high-quality, professional-looking images.

    
    

Future-Proof Your Resale Business with Shopfront

1️⃣ Stay ahead of trends – Luxury resale, sneakers, and sustainable fashion are driving the market.
2️⃣ Leverage AI & automation – Save time, reduce manual work, and increase profits.
3️⃣ Target the right buyers – Sustainability-conscious and high-income shoppers are reshaping resale.
4️⃣ Sell across multiple platforms – Multi-channel selling isn’t optional anymore - it’s essential for growth.

✅ What are you waiting for? Start using Shopfront to automate cross-listing, inventory management and more!

• List once, sell everywhere – Cross-list to eBay, Depop, Grailed, Shopify & more in seconds.

• Sync inventory automatically – No more overselling or manual stock updates.

• Track sales & optimise pricing – Stay ahead of trends and maximise profits.

Sell smarter, scale faster, and future-proof your resale business.

Get started today! 🚀