Industry Analysis of Second-hand Apparel in Europe

Analytical Study of Second-hand Apparel in Europe from 2024 to 2034

Europe's second-hand apparel industry is estimated to hit a value of USD 17,329.90 million in 2024. The momentum is forecast to prevail with a CAGR of 7.70%, taking the valuation to a projected USD 36,368.10 million by 2034. The growth of the European second-hand apparel industry echoes the increased consciousness and knowledge of sustainability.

Where the condemnation of normal consumers is trending toward environmental degradation, consumers are increasingly looking for a way out of this dilemma, and used clothing is increasingly becoming an alternative. This change in the mindset of the consumer is now redefining the dynamics of the fashion industry, and second-hand apparel is becoming the absolute front runner in being looked upon as a valid and ethical choice.

The emergence of digital platforms, those specializing in the clothes' resale market, has further broadened the spectrum and repositioned second-hand fashion in a way that was never imagined could be possible. It is, therefore, made "democratic" to some level when it comes to selling on resale touchpoints by brands like Depop, Vestiaire Collective, and Vinted to make it easy to sell pre-loved garments online.

Attributes	Details
Industry Size of Europe in 2024	USD 17,329.90 million
Expected Industry Size of Europe by 2034	USD 36,368.10 million
Forecasted CAGR between 2024 to 2034	7.70%

Key Trends Influencing Demand for Second-hand Apparel in Europe

Rebirth of Thrift Shopping

The culture of thrift shopping that was otherwise relegated to small markets of boutique has, in recent times, become popularly attended to by the broad section of the masses. Thrill in finding something unique and mostly vintage at throw away prices appeals to customers who are searching for individuality and style as part of the sustainable movement.

The Influence of Social Media on Fashion Consciousness

The interruption of digital media and social media platforms directly redesigned the interaction between consumers and fashion into a culture of people conscious of fashion, inspired by celebrities and influencers online. The normalization of thrift apparel has been related to influencers and celebrities who display a kind of lifestyle of buying second-hand apparel on different social sites.

Growth in the Luxury Resale Market

The luxury resale industry is burgeoning with a boom rate. The aspirations toward being value-conscious among people are increasing in terms of their desire for access to premium brand products at relatively lower prices. Thus, luxury resale platforms are not only concerned with recycling authenticated pre-owned designer pieces that allure consumers toward the glamour of luxury fashion with an incredibly reduced impact on the environment but also require reduced financial investments to a considerable extent.

Rental and Subscription Services

Clothes-renting companies to subscription services are becoming an ideal option for customers to walk down the aisle in a single dress or fulfill other specific needs without the consequences of wear and tear. Renting also provides the opportunity for people to experiment with different styles and fashion trends within their wardrobe and leave long-term assets tied up in a trendy piece.

Category wise insights

The section offers an analysis of the dominant segments influencing the demand outlook for second-hand apparel in Europe.

Party, Evening & Occasion Wear Segment to Hold Dominance in the Industry

Dominant Segment by Product Type	Party, Evening & Occasion Wear
Share held by the Segment in 2024	21.30%

Party, evening, and occasion wear currently hold a share of 21.3% in Europe’s second-hand apparel industry.

• The rising costs of clothes have, in turn, pulled fashion forward and made people look for quality and assurance first at a good price and second-hand apparel.
• This category holds very short shelf lives on occasion wear trends, which makes second-hand options more appealing to consumers.
• Environmentally conscious consumerism is increasingly luring those with wary paws towards sustainable shopping practices, making second-hand clothing the next untapped opportunity.

Women to Stay a Key Consumer Segment with a Share of 55.10% in 2024

Dominant Segment by Consumer Orientation	Women
Share held by the Segment in 2024	55.10%

Women segment remains dominant in the Europe second-hand apparel industry and is expected to command a 55.1% in 2024.

• Traditional second-hand shopping for trend-conscious women who usually find it very important to be able to stumble upon exclusive styles and quality items in the second-hand apparel industry at a nice price advantage.
• This mostly involves the second-hand apparel industry handling most of the shopping scenarios and taking care of a fashion need, from daily wear and office wear to occasion wear.
• Eco-conscious women increasingly embrace second-hand clothing as a more sustainable alternative to fast fashion.
• Secondhand clothing provides a collaborative opportunity in which a social place is formed with accents of the center within which feminine consumers can build a community of shared taste and values.

Country Wise Analysis

Countries	CAGR from 2024 to 2034
Germany	5.40%
United Kingdom	3.70%
France	6.60%
Italy	7.40%
Spain	8.10%

Italy Second-hand Apparel Industry

Italy's second-hand apparel industry to rise at a projected CAGR of 7.4% from 2024 to 2034.

• The Italians are great fashionistas, and second-hand apparel is what fuels first-class sartorial creativity.
• A rising focus on sustainability is propelling the popularity of second-hand clothing as an eco-friendly alternative.
• Italy appears to have advanced infrastructure in eCommerce, which has thereby become quite accessible for selling second-hand apparel.
• The fame of Italy as a tourist destination fosters the industry for vintage and pre-owned clothing, further boosting the sector.

Germany Second-hand Apparel Industry

Germany's second-hand apparel industry is projected to rise at a CAGR of 5.4% by 2034.

• Eco-conscious German consumers are increasingly embracing second-hand clothing as a way to lessen their environmental impact.
• For Germans, it is not just the second-hand apparel industry they are spending money on—it is quality and durability. From designer boutiques to community-driven swap meets, Germany offers a diverse range of second-hand shopping experiences.
• Strong digital infrastructure in countries like Germany supports a thriving industry for the online purchasing of second-hand apparel, making access very easy and convenient for consumers.
• As disposable incomes rise, German consumers have more resources to invest in higher-quality pre-owned clothing.

France Second-hand Apparel Industry

France's second-hand apparel industry is expected to expand at a CAGR of 6.6% through 2034.

• The second-hand apparel industry gives French consumers a chance to unearth vintage and style up for their looks to be unique.
• The French government is throwing its weight behind strategic initiatives to promote circular fashion models, hence driving the second-hand apparel industry in the country.
• The sharing economy feels simply "just-right," and hence naturally, consumers gravitate to second-hand clothes for rising living standards.
• This focus on affordability, sustainability, and self-expression is likely, in turn, to fuel the second-hand apparel industry by the duo of the Millennial and Gen Z generations.

United Kingdom Second-hand Apparel Industry

The United Kingdom boasts a mature second-hand apparel industry, with a projected CAGR of 3.7% through 2034.

• The United Kingdom has a well-entrenched second-hand clothing share culture, featuring established charity shops, vintage stores, and successful online platforms.
• Thrifting is a popular pastime in the United Kingdom, driven by a love for unique finds and the thrill of shopping.
• The United Kingdom offers a vast and diverse selection of second-hand clothing, catering to a wide range of styles and budgets.
• Most second-hand stores across the United Kingdom have a sense of community, attracting consumers who value the social aspect of pre-owned shopping.

Spain's Second-hand Apparel Industry

Spain's second-hand apparel industry is poised for explosive growth, with a projected CAGR of 8.1% through 2034.

• Spain has one of the youngest populations in the world, which they believe argues in favor of the second-hand apparel shopping trend.
• Spain's eCommerce industry is thriving, making second-hand clothing more accessible than ever before.
• Spanish consumers appreciate the authenticity of vintage and pre-owned clothing, making this industry a fortress of unique finds.

Competitive Analysis of Second-hand Apparel in Europe

The European second-hand apparel industry is a thriving battlefield with established players and new entrants vying for dominance. Major online resale platforms like Vinted, Depop, and Vestiaire Collective are leading the charge, offering user-friendly interfaces and curated experiences to attract a broad customer base.

European luxury behemoths like The RealReal and Rebag have clocked in their expansive moves into in-house authentication and luxury level curation done on a slew of pre-owned designer wares. Meanwhile, the more recent entrance of even fast-fashion greats, such as H&M or Zara, feeling out the potential of garment collection and resale programs might be a hint at a larger systemic shift toward a circular fashion model within the industry.

This is further enhanced by the sustained existence of conventional players. The brick-and-mortar thrift and charity stores keep the heartbeat of the European second-hand apparel industry at high standards, contributing a wealth of rare finds and lots of options for their clientele operating on a shoestring.

The industry environment is dynamic and rife with opportunities, given niche players who would occupy the domain to offer more boutique-style unique vintage clothing, sportswear, or children's offers. The companies that satisfy this niche, demarcate the customer segments, and what makes these offers unique, offer particular relevance, and make these shopping experiences more relevant are bound to gain the most amongst the rest.

Recent Developments Observed in Europe Second-hand Apparel Business

• Poshmark acquired premium Garage Sale, a premium consignment retailer, in January 2021.
• In February 2022, H&M introduced new second-hand clothes offering in Sweden, which includes second-hand garments from H&M Group brands as well as third-party labels.
• In August 2020, The RealReal teamed with Neiman Marcus to establish a second-hand clothes segment.

Key Players Offering Second-hand Apparel Services in Europe include

• Vinted
• eBay
• Vestaire Collective
• StockX
• Depop
• Artpal
• Etsy
• Rubylane
• Amazon
• Spoonflower
• Farfetch
• Yaga
• F&P Stock Solutions
• Garson & Shaw

Key Coverage in Europe Second-hand Apparel Industry Report

• Secondhand Apparel Market Analysis
• Europe Secondhand Luxury Goods Market
• Analysis of the Second-hand Clothing Market
• Europe Fast Fashion Market Outlook
• Leading Second-Hand Clothing Retailers

Key Segments

By Product Type:

• Party, Evening & Occasion
• Dresses & Tops
• Shirts & T-Shirts
• Sweater
• Coats & Jackets
• Jeans & Pants
• Others

By Sector:

• Resale
• Traditional Thrift Stores & Donations

By Consumer Orientation:

• Men
• Women
• Kids

By Sales Channel:

• Wholesalers/Distributors
• Hypermarkets/Supermarket
• Multi-brand Store
• Independent Small Stores
• Departmental Stores
• Online Retailers
• Other Sales Channel

By Country:

• Spain
• Germany
• United Kingdom
• France
• Italy
• Russia
• Ukraine
• Netherlands
• Poland
• Hungary
• Rest of Europe

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Industry Size for Second-hand Apparel in Europe?

The second-hand apparel industry in Europe is poised to reach USD 17,329.90 million by 2024.

What is the Future Outlook of Second-hand Apparel Adoption in Europe?

The industry is anticipated to surpass a valuation of USD 36,368.10 million by 2034.

What is the Anticipated Growth Rate of Second-hand Apparel in Europe?

The demand for second-hand apparel in Europe is likely to rise at a CAGR of 7.70% from 2024 to 2034.

Which Consumer Orientation Segment Dominates the Second-hand Apparel Industry in Europe?

Women segment has captured the dominant segment of the industry in 2024.

Which Product Type secures the largest share of the industry in 2024?

The party, evening & occasion segment is anticipated to lead the industry in 2024.