ever wondered how much you could earn by decluttering your wardrobe? According to eBay, only 25% of us sell our unwanted clothes, with the average consumer holding on to more than £400 worth of clothing they no longer wear. With online selling platforms such as Vinted, Depop and Facebook Marketplace flourishing, it couldn't be easier to recycle your pre-loved fashion and make money. And there's growing enthusiasm from buyers - last year, 80% of online consumers used online marketplaces to purchase items, according to Mintel.
It's nearly 30 years since eBay started connecting buyers and sellers around the world. Gumtree launched in 2000, for selling and buying locally, and was joined by Facebook Marketplace in 2016. The arrival of Vinted (2008), Vestiare Collective (2009) and Depop (2011) brought us apps designed specifically for trading pre-loved fashion.
However, it took the pandemic for these marketplaces to really take off. Vinted's UK membership grew from 1.2 million in 2021 to 16 million in 2023, and around 55% of online second-hand clothes shoppers in the UK used it last year, according to Statista. Its big advantage? No sellers' fees. So it was good news when, earlier this year, both eBay and Depop scrapped theirs too.
It's not just Gen Z and millennials working this savvy side hustle. Gumtree research shows 31% of 43- to 58-yearolds (Gen X) plan to sell secondhand items at least once a month. On average, Brits estimate they can make an average of £526.16 from the second-hand economy in 2024. What are you waiting for?
HOW DOES IT WORK?
Each site has pros and cons, so try a couple to see which suits you best.
1 Create an account with a profile bio and photo. With Vinted, you can use your Google or Facebook account.
2 List your items. Upload pictures, 2 prices and descriptions - eBay now offers Al-generated descriptions.
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