Signal Secondhand buying is motivated by access to premium goods and the hunt, not only by price

Summary

McKinsey reports that people buy secondhand for reasons that go beyond getting a lower price. For some shoppers, used goods are a route to better-quality or more premium brands without raising their budget. For many others, and especially younger consumers, the appeal lies in discovering one-of-a-kind items and enjoying the thrill of the hunt. The survey shows the experience of shopping secondhand matters more to Gen Z, while price weighs more heavily for baby boomers. These motives help explain why trading down now reaches into higher-income households. For brands, it means resale can be positioned as access and discovery rather than only as a discount channel.