The total turnover of the ‘second-hand’ market in Sweden in February 2024 stood at SEK 1.7 billion (€147 million), with 60% of sales coming through e-commerce channels, Svensk Handel’s ‘Pre Loved-indikator’ report has found.
According to Svensk Handel, three out of every ten Swedish customers made at least one second-hand purchase in February 2024, with fashion by far the biggest product category in which consumers shop second hand.
Second-hand fashion
Of all those that shopped for second-hand products in February, four in ten said that they shopped for some form of clothing, shoes or bags. The total turnover for second-hand fashion in February stood at SEK 417 million.
According to Maria Mikkonen, chief economist at Svensk Handel, February’s increase is “further proof that the second-hand trade is here to stay, and that it continues to increase. More and more people are seeing the economic and environmental benefits of consuming from the segment and we believe in stable growth in the coming months.”
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A growing trend
According to Svensk Handel’s recent Sustainability Survey, the trend of purchasing second-hand items is on the rise across all age groups. The survey indicates that 85% of consumers aged up to 49 engage in second-hand purchases, while 61% of those aged 50 or older participate in this trend.
However, despite this growth, Svensk Handel believe that there are still obstacles that prevent both consumers and traders from embracing second hand even more.
“It is clear that second hand, if given the right opportunities, has the opportunity to take even more place in the trade,” Mikkonen added. “There are still large market shares to be gained for both small and large companies. But for this to happen, favourable conditions are required. Double taxation of used goods is an obstacle in the transition to a more circular trade.”
Despite this, the second-hand market is likely to continue to experience a tailwind in the coming months, according to Svensk Handel.
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