EBay is home to all types of merchandise and memorabilia, from comic books to cat paintings. However, the platform, which turns 30 in 2025, is also working to position itself as a go-to option for secondhand fashion.
Last year, more than one-third (39%) of the clothing, accessories and shoes sold on eBay globally were pre-owned rather than new, according to data supplied to Modern Retail. What’s more, user searches for “pre-owned luxury” on eBay grew by more than 40% from June 2023 to June 2024. Speaking on an earnings call in October 2024, eBay CEO Jamie Iannone said that luxury, a recent focus for the company, had “[contributed] positively to year-over-year growth” for eight straight quarters.
EBay is one of a growing number of platforms selling secondhand apparel, a market ThredUp estimates will hit $350 billion globally by 2028. Unlike eBay, many players in the space — including Poshmark, Vinted and Depop — mainly sell clothes and accessories. Because eBay lists all types of items, not just fashion, the platform has had to try new strategies to gain market share in the category and raise awareness.
Continue reading this article on modernretail.co. Sign up for Modern Retail newsletters to get the latest on the shifting dynamics between retail’s old and new guards.