OVER 64% OF EUROPEAN SHOPPERS CONSIDER SECOND-HAND GIFTS FOR CHRISTMAS DUE TO HIGH COSTS OF LIVING

Sun 17 December 2023:

In a survey of 5,000 European consumers across Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands and Spain, Adevinta found that half (50%) of all respondents plan to spend less this Christmas due to the high cost-of-living.

As a result, a majority of people (64%) are considering purchasing second-hand items over the festive period this year. The most cited reasons as to why consumers are considering shopping for second-hand items are the need to save money (47%) and a desire to shop more sustainably (37%).

Last year, nearly one third (32%) of European consumers turned to the second-hand market for their Christmas shopping needs. The most purchased items were home decorations (45%), gifts for friends or family (39%), and clothing for themselves (36%). Of those considering buying second-hand this year, one quarter (25%) reported that they like gifting retro or nostalgic items, and a similar proportion (24%) stated they like sourcing items locally.

While many consumers are turning to the second-hand market this festive season to cut costs, some hold reservations around preloved gifting. Over a third (35%) of those who did not buy second hand items last year stated that they prefer to buy brand new and 40% stated that they don’t want to give used items as gifts.

It’s no secret that unwanted gifts are one of the unfortunate aspects of the festive period. Nearly two thirds of consumers (66%) state that they have received a brand-new gift that they’ve had no use for or simply not liked, but encouragingly, only 6% of respondents say that they’ve thrown unwanted items away.

People are more likely to hold on to these unwanted gifts regardless. While 28% have kept items knowing they’ll never have a use for them, less than a quarter (23%) have sold unwanted items online. One third (33%) report having kept an item in case it became useful, and a similar proportion have regifted unwanted items at a later date (30%).

SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES

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