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# Pre‑Loved Gifting Climbs: A Shift Toward Secondhand Acceptability
- URL: https://www.dbbnwa.com/pre-loved-gifting-climbs-a-shift-toward-secondhand-acceptability/
- Published: 2025-10-23T16:00:20.000Z
- Updated: 2025-10-23T16:00:19.000Z
- Description: A growing share of U.S. consumers now consider giving or receiving secondhand gifts socially acceptable — signaling a shift in how retailers and brands should think about the omnichannel gift‑economy.
- Author: Staff Report
- Tags: Regeneration, Supply Chain, Marketing

According to a recent [discussion on RetailWire](https://retailwire.com/discussion/pre-loved-gifting-acceptable/?ref=dbbnwa.com), more U.S. consumers are embracing the idea of gifting used or resale items this holiday season.

For example, the resale platform ThredUp reported U.S. consumers plan to allocate nearly 40 % of their holiday budgets to secondhand gifts—up from 30 % in typical everyday shopping. Among motivations: 62 % of shoppers cited better value as their primary reason, and 56 % sought unique, one‑of‑a‑kind items.

Another [survey from OfferUp](https://www.retailbrew.com/stories/2024/11/22/secondhand-gift-giving-growing-more-acceptable-say-74-of-shoppers?ref=dbbnwa.com) found 83 % of consumers are open to receiving a secondhand gift, and 68 % plan to purchase used gifts this season—with Gen Z showing particularly strong intent at 83 %.

### Why It’s Gaining Traction

Several factors are fueling this trend:

- **Economic pressure**: Inflation is pushing shoppers toward better value options. Surveys show savings are a top driver for secondhand gifting.
- **Uniqueness & nostalgia**: Many shoppers value finding items that aren’t mass‑produced or widely available, giving secondhand gifts a “treasure” aura.
- **Sustainability and circular commerce**: Particularly among younger consumers, [gifting secondhand aligns with eco‑conscious values](https://www.dbbnwa.com/articles/gen-z-sustainability-and-the-retail-shift/) and the circular economy.

### Implications for Retailers & Omnichannel Strategy

For major omnichannel retailers—including those anchored in the Bentonville ecosystem—this shift presents both challenge and opportunity:

- **Potential revenue impact**: As secondhand gifts grow, new‑product sales risk being diverted, particularly in categories like apparel, accessories and electronics that resale platforms serve well.
- **New business models**: Retailers might need to embrace resale, certified pre‑owned programs, or partner with resale platforms to capture this spend rather than lose it.
- **Brand and presentation matters**: The shopping experience for a secondhand item must feel premium to overcome lingering stigma. Packaging, condition and story matter more than ever.
- **Category‑specific variation**: While luxury, vintage and high‑value items may thrive in resale/gifting formats, more commoditized goods may still encounter resistance. As one expert noted: “For some categories … it’s not only acceptable but desirable … not so for other categories or goods in poor shape.”

### What to Watch

- Will new goods lose share meaningfully to resale in key categories this holiday season?
- Can brick‑and‑mortar and e‑commerce retailers build integrated “pre‑loved” experiences that retain value and brand positioning?
- How will brand messaging evolve to make secondhand gifts feel as thoughtful and desirable as new ones—even within premium and luxury segments?