A third of second-hand sellers now buy to resell quickly

Summarised from 4 outlets · Updated 15 Oct, 08:29 · Archive

A third of second-hand marketplace sellers now buy clothes with the intention of selling them after just a few wears.

A study of 2,000 adults who sell items via resale platforms found that a third now buy fashion, shoes and accessories with the intention of selling them on after just a few wears. The research, commissioned by Post Office, shows a significant rise in the 'buy to resell' trend among second-hand marketplace sellers.

37 per cent of respondents already consider an item's future resale value when they first purchase it, looking to recoup some of the cost later on. 23 per cent are more likely to buy wardrobe items with the intention of reselling them compared to five years ago. Resale value is increasingly part of the buying decision itself, with one in five willing to spend more on a higher-quality item if they believed it would retain its value.

The Post Office worked with stylist Bay Garnett to create a tool to help people price their wardrobe items. Garnett said: 'The research shows the huge change in attitudes towards second hand fashion. Reselling has become a much more natural part of how people think about their wardrobes.'

The research also found 21 per cent have walked away from a purchase altogether because they did not think it would have much resale potential. 36 per cent have bought an item for a specific occasion knowing they will sell it afterwards, with wedding outfits (50 per cent), fancy dress costumes (25 per cent) and seasonal clothing (12 per cent) among the top purchases.

How it is being reported

• A third of marketplace sellers buy fashion items to sell after just a few wearsA third of second-hand marketplace sellers admit they now buy clothes, shoes and accessories with the intention of selling them on after just a few wears.Wandsworth Guardian · 15 Oct, 08:02
• A third of marketplace sellers buy fashion items to sell after just a few wearsA third of second-hand marketplace sellers admit they now buy clothes, shoes and accessories with the intention of selling them on after just a few wears.Croydon Guardian · 15 Oct, 08:02
• A third of marketplace sellers buy fashion items to sell after just a few wearsA third of second-hand marketplace sellers admit they now buy clothes, shoes and accessories with the intention of selling them on after just a few wears.News Shopper · 15 Oct, 08:02
• A third of marketplace sellers buy fashion items to sell after just a few wearsA third of second-hand marketplace sellers admit they now buy clothes, shoes and accessories with the intention of selling them on after just a few wears.This Is Local London · 15 Oct, 08:02

In this story: Post Office · Bay Garnett

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