OAKLAND, CA – A study by GlobalData revealed that, “despite economic uncertainty, holiday spending remains resilient, with a major shift to circular shopping.” Put another way, consumers plan to dedicate nearly 40% of their total holiday budgets to secondhand gifts, up from the 30% they typically spend on resale in their everyday shopping.
ThredUp, an online apparel resale platform, released the results in its 2025 Holiday Report. “While the macroeconomic picture remains unclear, consumers aren’t stopping their holiday traditions—they’re just getting more strategic on how they participate,” said James Reinhart, CEO and cofounder of ThredUp via press release. “They’re seeking the most value, and that path is increasingly through resale. This holiday season proves consumers are incredibly financially savvy. Close to half of all shoppers are turning old items into cash they can use for holiday gifts. This circular strategy is becoming a major part of how they fund their holiday spending.”
Key Takeaways from ThredUp’s 2025 Holiday Report
• Consumers plan to allocate nearly 40% of their total holiday budgets to secondhand gifts.
• Over half of shoppers (52%) are more likely to focus on getting more items for less money this year.
• 51% of shoppers plan to strategically spend by starting to shop earlier.
• Nearly 66% of all consumers are open to giving secondhand gifts, a figure that jumps to 80% for millennials.
• Top reasons for turning to resale are saving money/better value (62%) and finding unique, one-of-a-kind items (56%).
Top Gift Categories
• Accessories (e.g., handbags, jewelry, scarves): 40%
• Women’s Apparel (e.g., coats, knits, denim): 36%
• Vintage items (across apparel, accessories, and home): 31%
“Secondhand gifting isn’t just about saving money; it’s emotional; It allows you to find something truly unique or nostalgic that carries a story, which often means more to someone than a brand-new item,” explains Kristen Brophy, senior vice president of Marketing at ThredUp. “Consumers are finding that the best gift doesn’t have to be new, it just has to be special.”