The climate emergency intersects with a technological revolution, a pandemic, and a raw material crisis. Shipping breakdowns, stock shortages, conflicts, and energy market disruptions have become common hurdles across nearly every economic sector. Some industries, like automotive, feel the bite of a perfect storm of disruptions. It’s a challenging moment for global trade, yet it exists and shapes decisions everywhere.
Against this backdrop, the second-hand market has surged as a viable alternative to many traditional constraints. Environmental goals push toward circular economy practices and resource savings. With shortages in raw materials and transportation, already manufactured domestic goods gain renewed importance. And with rising prices, selling unused items becomes a way to earn extra income while limiting new purchases.
Second hand becomes first choice
The industry’s tailored solutions arise as real-world complexity meets concrete business needs, and leaders like Wallapop and Cash Converters have highlighted the advantages of circular business models amid the climate emergency. Campaigns branded with phrases such as “It’s done” and “No more premieres” resonate with a younger audience, underscoring a shift in consumer behavior.
Second hand becomes first choice
Younger generations lead the surge. A 2022 Consumer Trends study, translated for Spain by the Samy Alliance, shows that Generation Z—those born roughly between 1995 and 2005—thinks more about resale when evaluating purchases than earlier cohorts. The idea is simple: buy with intention, not just impulse.
golden future
The pandemic-era boom in second-hand markets is echoed in estimates that about 33 million new customers entered the space since 2020, with roughly 6.5 billion resale transactions logged globally in that period. This shift correlates with substantial environmental savings and cost reductions, including significant CO2 reductions. Projections indicate that first-time buyers intend to spend more in the coming years, with the market forecast to grow severalfold by 2027.
In Spain, major sector players report sustained interest in reused goods, especially during uncertain times. Company voices confirm that demand rises when external conditions feel unstable, and there is broad agreement that the trend has accelerated as environmental concerns push more responsible consumption behaviors.
Cash Converters notes rising activity that intertwines price considerations with environmental benefits, a testament to the appeal of reuse in today’s market.
buy less
Economic conditions strengthen the case for second-hand goods, particularly among young people and those focused on ecological transition. Ipsos highlights that more than half of Spaniards have altered shopping habits for environmental reasons, with a notable share indicating a willingness to buy fewer new items as a concrete action.
The fashion sector has embraced second-hand retail as a reaction to fast fashion’s pollution and short product life cycles. Industry voices note a thriving ecosystem of second-hand stores while brands explore production approaches that lower environmental impact. Observers expect second-hand clothing to outpace fast fashion growth by 2030, driven by consumer demand for durability and quality that is no longer available in new items.
This evolution has opened opportunities for players outside traditional second-hand domains. Ikea, for instance, has operated a buyback program since 2016 to extend product life, supported by leadership that highlights environmental benefits and broader access to affordable furniture. Such initiatives have kept millions of items circulating in the market, extending their useful life.
PlayStation: Who gives more?
Not every trend is about sustainability. Some sectors see rising second-hand activity due to shortages in components rather than a desire to protect the planet. Cars and game consoles both contain numerous microchips, and supply constraints have throttled first-hand sales while inflating the resale market. The most dramatic example lies with Sony’s PlayStation, where a reduced production schedule has caused prices to spike on the used market, with some listings surging well beyond original price points. Consumer networks have formed to alert buyers when stock returns, illustrating how scarcity drives secondary markets.
Ecology aside, the used-car segment has grown as new registrations fall. In 2021, Spain recorded a sharp drop in new-car sales while the number of used-car transactions rose substantially, reflecting a shift in buying behavior driven by supply constraints and high demand for available inventory.