Secondhand gifts are going mai... Note
Fast Company

Secondhand gifts are going mainstream this holiday season

A historical taboo against giving used presents is rapidly diminishing, with secondhand gifts gaining widespread acceptance, especially during holidays. This shift is evident in the booming holiday sales at online thrift stores like ThredUp, which now see faster growth during this period. A commissioned survey revealed that 62% of Americans plan to buy at least one secondhand item this holiday season, with 70% open to receiving such gifts. Many consumers, particularly millennials and Gen Z, prefer unique preowned items over mass-produced new ones. The embrace of secondhand shopping is largely driven by consumers feeling financially stretched due to inflation, seeking to maximize their budgets. Furthermore, secondhand apparel offers a practical solution for those seeking new outfits for holiday events without the expense of brand-new items. The resale industry has successfully rebranded itself, moving away from terms like "used" to "vintage" and "preowned," and elevating the shopping experience. Online platforms now offer polished imagery and sophisticated search tools, making secondhand shopping more appealing and convenient. Millennials were instrumental in destigmatizing secondhand goods, while younger generations, Gen Z and Gen Alpha, never perceived a taboo. This trend, while good for the resale industry, prompts questions for the broader sustainability movement about curbing overconsumption. Industry experts believe continuous promotion of circularity, where consumers view clothes as resalable assets, coupled with policy changes holding manufacturers accountable for waste, will drive more sustainable practices. Overall, consumers are unknowingly contributing to sustainability by engaging in circular shopping behaviors, marking significant progress towards a more environmentally conscious consumption model.
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