About one-third of respondents sold an item on a reselling site this year, with an average of five items sold per person, while 18% have not yet sold anything but plan to.

When buying non-grocery items, online UK marketplaces and retailer sites are the most common sources (about 21%), followed by in-store purchases at major UK retailers (19%), with 14% buying online from UK stores and 14% having bought nothing non-grocery this year.

Among income groups, those earning £30k-£35k buy the most items on resale platforms, while those earning £35k-£40k sell the most items on resale sites on average.

The survey shows 8% of all consumers bought non-grocery items via resale sites as their main method in 2026, rising to 15% among 18- to 24-year-olds.

The resale trend is expected to continue given high living costs and sustainability remains a top consumer priority.

Resale among consumers is reshaping UK retail as buyers seek cheaper prices, sustainability, broader ranges, and convenience; retailers are countering by launching reuse services, refurbishing options, and authentication to compete with C2C platforms.

Retailers are increasingly offering reuse and refurbishment services plus authentication checks to draw shoppers back from consumer-to-consumer platforms, especially as cost of living remains high and sustainability stays a priority.

The study notes continued growth in consumer-to-consumer resale driven by perceived savings, sustainability, product variety, and ease of use, with traditional retailers responding in kind.

The findings come from a OnePoll survey of 3,000 UK consumers conducted in mid-March 2026.

Overall, the rise of resale is driven by lower costs, potential earnings, broader ranges, and convenience, prompting high-street retailers to offer reuse or refurbishment services.