Recommerce: Driving Circular Retail Forward

Priyanka Haldipur:

The resale market is booming and consumers are leading the charge. On eBay, sales of clothing and accessories that were labeled thrifted jumped more than 400% between March 2023 and March 2024. So what's driving this surge? The number one reason people buy pre-loved items is to save money. The second reason is sustainability, because more shoppers want to their part for the planet. That's how important sustainability has become. In fact, half of consumers say they would pay more for sustainable choices. That's why sustainable commerce and re-commerce are said to be major digital trends for 2026. Fashion leaders like Levi’s, Lululemon, and J.Crew already offer resale programs. Some brands build their own platforms, while others partner with third-party sites. Nike has a program that refurbishes and resales returned shoes at a discount.

IKEA buys back gently used furniture to resell or recycle. Even tech giants like Apple and Microsoft have trade-in programs that turn old devices into credit or give them a second life through recycling. But there's a catch. Resale only creates real environmental value if it actually reduces new production. It's time for brands to make re-commerce a core strategy and not a side project. Those that do this will earn lasting consumer trust and drive meaningful growth.