The Resale Revolution: How Sustainable Growth in Luxury Resale Reflects Shifting Consumer Behavior

The secondary market for luxury goods is firmly establishing itself as a critical component of modern consumer strategies, showing no signs of slowing down. Recent analysis from reports by The Business of Fashion and McKinsey highlights this robust expansion: the resale segment for apparel and accessories is currently expanding at three times the rate of the new goods market. This trend is set to accelerate significantly, as research conducted by Boston Consulting Group (BCG) and Vestiaire Collective projects that the global market for pre-owned luxury items could reach a staggering 360 billion US dollars by 2030. This projection marks a substantial increase from the current valuation, estimated to be between 210 and 220 billion US dollars, indicating an average annual growth rate of 10% for this evolving sector.

Several interconnected factors are fueling this rapid ascent in pre-owned sales. A major driver is the considerable price inflation seen across the high-end luxury sector following the pandemic, exacerbated by broader economic inflation and the imposition of tariffs. This has made previously owned items a far more appealing and accessible alternative for consumers. Furthermore, the proliferation of online platforms has dramatically improved market accessibility. McKinsey data indicates that in 2024, online marketplaces accounted for 88 percent of all secondary market spending. Specialized resellers, including Fashionphile and The RealReal, have reported double-digit year-over-year growth throughout 2025, underscoring the digital shift.

Pre-loved luxury is rapidly transforming into a new marker of status and savvy purchasing. The RealReal’s 2025 report noted a remarkable 108% surge in search queries for vintage handbags, signaling a cultural shift. Pierre Dupréel of BCG asserts that this movement is durable and is becoming an essential gateway into the luxury segment. Consumers are increasingly factoring in the return on investment when making high-value purchases. A 2025 survey conducted by ThredUp revealed that 47% of shoppers now consider the future resale value when buying clothing. This figure rises even higher, reaching 64%, among individuals aged 18 to 44. This perspective treats clothing as a form of 'wardrobe capital,' pushing consumers away from purely consumptive mindsets toward investment-focused decision-making.

While the primary luxury sector is experiencing a slowdown—with value creation expected to decline in 2025 for the first time since 2016 (excluding the 2020 anomaly)—the resale market continues to demonstrate remarkable resilience. Younger generations, in particular, are prioritizing value and longevity in their purchasing habits, where both economic savings and environmental consciousness play increasingly significant roles. Findings from the 2025 BCG and Vestiaire Collective report, based on a survey of 7,800 users, showed that nearly 28% of items in respondents’ wardrobes were acquired secondhand. Moreover, over half of these pre-owned acquisitions were made through multi-brand online platforms. Consequently, the secondary market is structurally reshaping the landscape of luxury consumption, offering a pragmatic alternative amid economic uncertainty and evolving consumer priorities.