BRITS EARN AN EXTRA £127 A YEAR SELLING ON SECOND-HAND PLATFORMS

• Research from DHL eCommerce UK finds some Brits make up to £6,000 each year selling on second-hand platforms
• More sustainable and ethical practices are among the top three reasons people opt to buy through online marketplaces
• Second-hand selling etiquette is also revealed, as many sellers add a personal touch 

Preloved is in, and online marketplaces are reshaping how Brits buy and sell their preloved items. New research from DHL eCommerce UK finds that 42% of Brits have sold old goods on an online marketplace, with sellers pocketing an average of £127 a year, while some earn up to £6,000.

With almost half (49%) of Brits now buying through second-hand platforms, the research reveals affordability remains the main motivator. Beyond affordability, over a third of respondents opt to buy preloved because it is more sustainable and 28% state it is a more ethical way of purchasing (see table 1).

Unsurprisingly, preloved fashion tops the list as the most popular item sold. Nine in 10 reveal they have sold clothes online, extending the life cycle of items and positively reducing the environmental impact of fashion. This is followed by 32% selling accessories and 31% selling shoes (see table 2).

As the trend of reselling grows, the research lifts the lid on the good and the bad when it comes to emerging second-hand selling etiquette.

With many sellers keen to keep their review ratings up, a third of buyers say they have received a personalised note with their second-hand purchases. Meanwhile, many are extending their commitment to sustainability, with over half of sellers saving packaging from other parcel deliveries to reuse when selling goods on online marketplaces.

It is not all positive, though. Just 43% of sellers say they rewash items before selling them, as more than one in seven buyers report they have received items that smell. Further, a quarter of buyers have received goods wrapped in black bin liners, almost one in five say sellers take too long to send items.

Gemma Marshall, Out of Home Product Manager, DHL eCommerce UK, says: “We know the trend for buying and selling preloved items online is on the rise. While some sell through second-hand platforms to earn extra cash, giving a preloved item a second home while also having a positive environmental impact is emerging as a key driver for this change.

“This impact can be amplified by choosing carriers that prioritise sustainability in their delivery processes. Delivery partners play a key role by offering options like parcel shops and lockers.”

The research also revealed that shoppers value delivery choices when buying on online marketplaces. Parcel shops and lockers emerged as a popular choice for buyers when collecting preloved packages, with one in five saying it is the easiest way to collect the items they buy from online marketplaces. Beyond the products themselves, the convenience and options that reduce GHG emissions offered by delivery partners are playing an increasingly important role in shaping buyer behaviour.