Apparel Resale Global Market Report 2026

Apparel resale involves buying and selling second-hand clothing and accessories. This process includes exchanging used garments through various channels such as consignment stores, thrift shops, online marketplaces, and specialty resale platforms.

The main types of apparel resale include dresses and tops, shirts and t-shirts, sweaters, coats and jackets, jeans and pants, and others. Dresses and tops in the resale market consist of previously owned or gently used items such as formal and casual dresses, blouses, and tunics, which are sold at a lower price compared to new ones. These items are popular among consumers seeking unique styles or sustainable fashion choices. The sectors involved include resale and traditional thrift stores, donations, and various consumer groups such as men, women, and children. Distribution occurs through multiple sales channels, including wholesalers or distributors, hypermarkets or supermarkets, multi-brand stores, independent small stores, department stores, online retailers, and other sales channels.

Note that the outlook for this market is being affected by rapid changes in trade relations and tariffs globally. The report will be updated prior to delivery to reflect the latest status, including revised forecasts and quantified impact analysis. The report's Recommendations and Conclusions sections will be updated to give strategies for entities dealing with the fast-moving international environment.

Tariffs are impacting the apparel resale market by increasing prices of imported new apparel, indirectly boosting demand for resale while raising logistics and cross-border resale handling costs. Online resale platforms and distributors in North America and Europe are most affected due to international sourcing and shipping dependencies, while Asia-Pacific faces higher operational costs. These tariffs are reshaping pricing dynamics across resale channels. At the same time, they are strengthening domestic resale ecosystems and encouraging local sourcing and redistribution of pre-owned apparel.

The apparel resale market research report is one of a series of new reports from The Business Research Company that provides apparel resale market statistics, including apparel resale industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a apparel resale market share, detailed apparel resale market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the apparel resale industry. This apparel resale market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenario of the industry.

The apparel resale market size has grown rapidly in recent years. It will grow from $202.39 billion in 2025 to $225.71 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.5%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to growth of thrift and donation channels, rising apparel consumption volumes, expansion of online marketplaces, increasing price sensitivity among consumers, availability of surplus apparel inventory.

The apparel resale market size is expected to see rapid growth in the next few years. It will grow to $346.34 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.3%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to growing demand for sustainable fashion alternatives, rising investments in digital resale platforms, expansion of branded resale partnerships, increasing adoption of circular economy models, growing use of AI-based product authentication. Major trends in the forecast period include rising popularity of online resale platforms, growing consumer preference for second-hand apparel, expansion of peer-to-peer resale models, increasing focus on apparel circularity, enhanced authentication and quality verification.

The expansion of e-commerce platforms is anticipated to drive growth in the apparel resale market. E-commerce platforms are online systems that facilitate the buying and selling of goods and services over the Internet, offering tools for transaction management, inventory control, and customer engagement. The rise of e-commerce platforms is attributed to increased online shopping adoption, advancements in digital technology, and broader Internet accessibility. These platforms provide global reach, allowing sellers to access a larger audience beyond their local areas. This enhanced visibility enables resale items to reach buyers who may not have access to physical resale stores. For instance, in May 2024, the United States Census Bureau, a US-based government organization, reported that U.S. retail e-commerce sales for the first quarter of 2024 amounted to $289.2 billion, marking a 2.1% (+-0.7%) increase compared to the fourth quarter of 2023. Consequently, the growth of e-commerce platforms is fueling the expansion of the apparel resale market.

Major companies in the apparel resale space are increasingly emphasizing technological innovations, such as AI-driven shopping and discovery solutions, to meet the growing demand for seamless, personalized access to second-hand fashion, driven by sustainability awareness, cost-consciousness, and evolving consumer preferences for circular consumption. These AI-powered tools combine machine-learning algorithms, natural-language processing, and computer-vision technologies to significantly enhance how buyers search, explore, and style second-hand clothing compared with traditional platforms that rely on manual tagging, keyword searches, and rigid filtering. For instance, in August 2024, US-based ThredUp launched AI-driven features including natural-language and image-based search, along with a Style Chat AI assistant that creates complete outfits from prompts like outfit for a fall wedding. This technology allows users to search with descriptive phrases, discover visually similar items, and receive automated outfit recommendations, making second-hand shopping more efficient, engaging, and accessible. The launch illustrates the industry's shift from manual, time-consuming browsing to intelligent, frictionless, and highly personalized discovery experiences, reinforcing the move toward circular fashion and sustainable retail.

In August 2024, Trove Inc., a US-based technology company, acquired Recurate Inc. for an undisclosed amount. This acquisition allows Trove Inc. to strengthen its leadership in the branded resale market by broadening its service offerings, expanding its market share, attracting new brand partners, and promoting sustainable and profitable business practices. Recurate Inc., a US-based software company, provides brands with a platform to seamlessly integrate secondhand sales into their websites, enabling them to capitalize on the apparel resale market.

Major companies operating in the apparel resale market are eBay Inc., Poshmark, ThredUp Inc., The RealReal, Vinted Inc., Mercari, StockX LLC, Depop, Grailed, Buffalo Exchange, Crossroads Trading, Vestiaire Collective, Tradesy, Rebag, Sellpy, Remix Global AD, Micolet, Thrift+, Swap.com, Refashioner

Asia-Pacific was the largest region in the apparel resale market in 2025. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the apparel resale market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa.

The countries covered in the apparel resale market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

The apparel resale market includes revenues earned by entities by providing services such as consignment services, online resale platforms, thrift stores, repair and upcycling services and related retro clothing, high-end clothing and winter wear. The market value includes the value of related goods sold by the service provider or included within the service offering. Only goods and services traded between entities or sold to end consumers are included.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

Apparel Resale Market Global Report 2026 from The Business Research Company provides strategists, marketers and senior management with the critical information they need to assess the market.

This report focuses apparel resale market which is experiencing strong growth. The report gives a guide to the trends which will be shaping the market over the next ten years and beyond.

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Where is the largest and fastest growing market for apparel resale ? How does the market relate to the overall economy, demography and other similar markets? What forces will shape the market going forward, including technological disruption, regulatory shifts, and changing consumer preferences? The apparel resale market global report from the Business Research Company answers all these questions and many more.

The report covers market characteristics, size and growth, segmentation, regional and country breakdowns, total addressable market (TAM), market attractiveness score (MAS), competitive landscape, market shares, company scoring matrix, trends and strategies for this market. It traces the market's historic and forecast market growth by geography.

• The market characteristics section of the report defines and explains the market. This section also examines key products and services offered in the market, evaluates brand-level differentiation, compares product features, and highlights major innovation and product development trends.
• The supply chain analysis section provides an overview of the entire value chain, including key raw materials, resources, and supplier analysis. It also provides a list competitor at each level of the supply chain.
• The updated trends and strategies section analyses the shape of the market as it evolves and highlights emerging technology trends such as digital transformation, automation, sustainability initiatives, and AI-driven innovation. It suggests how companies can leverage these advancements to strengthen their market position and achieve competitive differentiation.
• The regulatory and investment landscape section provides an overview of the key regulatory frameworks, regularity bodies, associations, and government policies influencing the market. It also examines major investment flows, incentives, and funding trends shaping industry growth and innovation.
• The market size section gives the market size ($b) covering both the historic growth of the market, and forecasting its development.
• The forecasts are made after considering the major factors currently impacting the market. These include the technological advancements such as AI and automation, Russia-Ukraine war, trade tariffs (government-imposed import/export duties), elevated inflation and interest rates.
• The total addressable market (TAM) analysis section defines and estimates the market potential compares it with the current market size, and provides strategic insights and growth opportunities based on this evaluation.
• The market attractiveness scoring section evaluates the market based on a quantitative scoring framework that considers growth potential, competitive dynamics, strategic fit, and risk profile. It also provides interpretive insights and strategic implications for decision-makers.
• Market segmentations break down the market into sub markets.
• The regional and country breakdowns section gives an analysis of the market in each geography and the size of the market by geography and compares their historic and forecast growth.
• Expanded geographical coverage includes Taiwan and Southeast Asia, reflecting recent supply chain realignments and manufacturing shifts in the region. This section analyzes how these markets are becoming increasingly important hubs in the global value chain.
• The competitive landscape chapter gives a description of the competitive nature of the market, market shares, and a description of the leading companies. Key financial deals which have shaped the market in recent years are identified.
• The company scoring matrix section evaluates and ranks leading companies based on a multi-parameter framework that includes market share or revenues, product innovation, and brand recognition.

Scope

• Markets Covered:1) By Type: Dresses And Tops; Shirts And T Shirts; Sweaters; Coats And Jackets; Jeans And Pants; Other Types
• 2) By Sector: Resale; Traditional Thrift Stores And Donations
• 3) By Consumer Group: Men; Women; Children
• 4) By Sales Channel: Multi Brand Stores; Independent Small Stores; Online Retailers; Other Sales Channels
• Subsegments:
• 1) By Dresses And Tops: Casual Dresses; Evening Dresses; Blouses And Tunics; Tank Tops And T-Shirts
• 2) By Shirts And T-Shirts: Casual Shirts; Button-Down Shirts; Graphic T-Shirts; Polo Shirts
• 3) By Sweaters: Cardigans; Pullovers; Turtlenecks; Sweater Vests
• 4) By Coats And Jackets: Winter Coats; Leather Jackets; Blazers; Trench Coats; Bomber Jackets
• 5) By Jeans And Pants: Skinny Jeans; Straight-Leg Jeans; Bootcut Jeans; Wide-Leg Pants; Cargo Pants
• 6) By Other Types: Skirts; Shorts; Jumpsuits And Rompers; Activewear; Swimwear
• Companies Mentioned: eBay Inc.; Poshmark; ThredUp Inc.; The RealReal; Vinted Inc.; Mercari; StockX LLC; Depop; Grailed; Buffalo Exchange; Crossroads Trading; Vestiaire Collective; Tradesy; Rebag; Sellpy; Remix Global AD; Micolet; Thrift+; Swap.com; Refashioner
• Countries: Australia; Brazil; China; France; Germany; India; Indonesia; Japan; Taiwan; Russia; South Korea; UK; USA; Canada; Italy; Spain.
• Regions: Asia-Pacific; South East Asia; Western Europe; Eastern Europe; North America; South America; Middle East; Africa
• Time Series: Five years historic and ten years forecast.
• Data: Ratios of market size and growth to related markets, GDP proportions, expenditure per capita,
• Data Segmentations: country and regional historic and forecast data, market share of competitors, market segments.
• Sourcing and Referencing: Data and analysis throughout the report is sourced using end notes.
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