The 2025 Resale Economy Report: What Every Seller Needs to Know
Why Reselling is Bigger Than Ever in 2025
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).
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
✅ How to future-proof your business in 2025 using Shopfront
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.
💡 What this means for resellers: There’s never been a better time to get into the secondhand market and start selling using Shopfront. Consumers trust resale more than ever, and marketplaces are evolving to support more professional sellers.
📌 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 (Business of Fashion).
💡 What this means for resellers:
✅ 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 & Jewellery
🔥 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 resellers:
✅ 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? AI-powered selling tools that eliminate manual work and maximise profits.
🔹 Automated multi-channel selling with Shopfront – Instead of manually listing on multiple marketplaces, Shopfront allows resellers to list once and sync everywhere instantly. This means:
✅ No more double-work - list across eBay, Depop, Facebook Marketplace, Grailed (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.
🔹 AI-powered image editing with Shopfront – Better photos mean 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.
💡 Action steps for resellers:
✅ Start using Shopfront to automate cross-listing, inventory management, and image editing.
✅ Optimise your product visuals with Shopfront’s AI background remover to create listings that stand out.
📌 Final Takeaways: How to Future-Proof Your Resale Business in 2025
1️⃣ Stay ahead of market trends – Luxury resale, sneakers, and tech are on the rise.
2️⃣ Use AI & automation – It will save time & improve profits.
3️⃣ Target the right buyers – Sustainability-conscious & high-income buyers are reshaping the industry.
4️⃣ Go multi-platform (easily) with Shopfront – Selling on multiple marketplaces is no longer optional - it’s essential.