Thrifting is more popular than ever, thanks to the recession. According to a 2022 OfferUp report, published in partnership with data analytics firm GlobalData, recommerce grew nearly 15 percent in 2021. The increase marks the highest growth rate in history for the secondhand industry, which has already been spiking in popularity thanks to sustainable shopping habits and TikTok.
This year, 272 million Americans — about the same number of Americans that own a smartphone — buy and/or sell pre-owned goods, reports OfferUp. It seems finding the best deals has become as addictive as social media: OfferUp reports Americans spend an average of 27 minutes per day on digital secondhand marketplaces — just shy of the average 30 minutes they spend on Instagram, Facebook, and other social media platforms. The recession has undoubtedly influenced this spike.
