8 in 10 Americans Are Turning to Secondhand Shopping to Beat Rising Prices

Core insights:

• 78% of Americans plan to shop secondhand in 2025, with half saying they’ll do so more than they have in the past
• The top reason to shop secondhand is to save money
• 3 in 10 Americans plan to host their own yard sale to earn extra income
• Half of recent storage unit renters are giving up their units to save money

8 in 10 Americans Will Secondhand Shop in 2025

Nearly half (45%) of respondents say they have already made secondhand purchases this year, and another 33% say they plan to shop secondhand this year. Just 22% say they have not and do not intend to shop secondhand in 2025.  

For those who have shopped or plan to shop secondhand this year, when asked how their secondhand shopping this year compares to previous years, nearly all respondents say they are maintaining or increasing their activity. About 48% say they plan to shop secondhand more than in prior years, while another 49% say they expect to shop about as much. 

Of secondhand shoppers, 76% say they shop at thrift stores. Yard or garage sales are also common, used by 50%, followed by Facebook Marketplace (47%), and eBay (41%). Local consignment shops attract 38% of secondhand shoppers, while 26% turn to online thrift stores like ThredUp or The RealReal. Less commonly used platforms include Craigslist (18%) and OfferUp (12%).

Rising retail prices fuel secondhand shopping

Respondents cite a variety of reasons for shopping secondhand. The most common motivation is saving money (69%). Half say they enjoy the experience of secondhand shopping, while 48% say traditional retail prices are currently too high. A similar share (48%) says they expect retail prices to rise even further due to tariffs. Additionally, 24% say they are motivated by the environmental impact of buying new products.

In 2025, most secondhand shoppers focus on clothing and shoes (69%), followed by books, games, or media (52%), and home decor (53%). Other common purchases include furniture (41%), tools or equipment (38%), collectibles (38%), and electronics (31%). Fewer people shop secondhand for appliances (21%) or baby and children’s gear (14%).

“Secondhand shopping is exploding,” says Thomas Franklin, Founder & CEO at Swapped.com. “Paying $25 for something that used to cost $75 feels like winning, not sacrificing. When a new laptop, couch, or pair of shoes costs 35% more today than it did two years ago, people pivot fast to get the same utility at a fraction of the price.”

3 in 10 Americans Will Host Yard Sales to Declutter and Earn Extra Cash

Many people are open to hosting a yard or garage sale this spring or summer. Over 30% say they are likely to do so, including 13% who say they are very likely and 18% who are somewhat likely. Another 23% are unsure, suggesting even more could join in.

The reasons for planning a yard sale are practical and financial. About 72% say they want to reduce clutter, while 70% want to earn extra income. Another 63% say they want to sell unused items, and 34% want to get rid of things they’ve had in storage. One in four also say they’re doing it to help manage rising living costs.

Half of Recent Storage Unit Renters Have or Will Stop Renting To Save Money

Some people are actively moving away from storage unit rentals. About 21% of Americans had a storage unit within the past six months. More than half of this group stopped renting their storage unit (23%) or plan to soon (32%). 

When it comes to why they stopped or plan to stop renting a storage unit, about half (46%) say they want to save money, and 36% say the unit was too expensive. Others say they no longer needed the space (33%), consolidated their belongings elsewhere (22%), or got rid of the items they were storing by donating or selling them (18%). A smaller share cite concerns about cleanliness or security (15%) or say they moved and no longer had access to the unit (11%).

“People cleaning out their storage units are chasing liquidity. If $1,000 worth of stored “stuff” can erase $1,000 worth of credit card debt charging 22% APR, they are pulling the trigger without blinking. That being said, it is also a psychological reset. The clutter, the expense, the emotional baggage weigh heavier when cash flow is tight and every square foot costs money,” says Franklin.

Methodology 

The information in this report comes from a StorageUnits.com survey administered online by polling company Pollfish on April 24, 2025. The survey included responses from 2,000 U.S. residents.