Brits switch on to buying secondhand

CONSUMER spending on secondhand clothes and shoes reached £2.4bn in 2023, with half of shoppers buying a pre-worn item, according to a study.

Almost a quarter of the average Briton’s wardrobe (23%) is made up of pre-owned items, rising to 34% among those aged between 18 and 34, a survey for the Westfield shopping centre group found.

On average, Britons bought three items of clothing from secondhand retailers in 2023, with young adults buying 5.3 items on average, compared to 1.7 items for those aged 55 and over. Londoners were more likely to buy secondhand items, at an average of 6.6 pieces.

The most commonly purchased items included shirts or T-shirts (57%), jackets (39%), and jeans or trousers (37%).

The biggest attraction for secondhand clothing purchases was its cost-effectiveness, particularly during the cost-of-living crisis, cited by 36% of those who bought secondhand.

Some 16% said they chose secondhand items out of concern for the climate and as an alternative to fast fashion, while 9% cited style and quality, saying new clothing did not last as long, while 8% thought it was “cool”.

Alyson Hodkinson, of UnibailRodamco-Westfield UK, said: “As sustainability becomes increasingly important in purchasing decisions, we anticipate continued growth in the secondhand market.”