According to Adevinta Spain’s general goods marketplace Milanuncios, demand for used fashion and accessories on its platform increased by a third in 2022, with an average of more than 46,000 searches a day, according to a press release.
During the year, more than 578,000 ads for secondhand clothing were posted on the site, with sales of used clothing and accessories through the platform worth €43 million ($45 million U.S.).
The average price of these items fell by 2.6% during the year — a double-digit decline in real terms, as average consumer price inflation in Spain was 8.8% in 2022.
Milanuncios noted that demand growth was particularly strong during the second half of the year, something it is attributed to elevated consumer price inflation.
The company added that Rolex, Nike, Louis Vuitton, Gucci and Tous were among the most widely searched brands: “In terms of products, in 2022 wedding dresses stood out as the second most searched term on the platform, behind Rolex but ahead of Nike,” with Air Jordan trainers particularly popular. Other brands that saw robust growth in demand included France-based coat-maker Montclair, also saw strong growth.
“The takeoff of the second-hand fashion market seems closely associated with rising prices, but we are convinced that it is here to stay. The sector was crying out for a change; so-called fast fashion is unsustainable if we want to bet on consumption models that are respectful of the environment, and that is why we are betting on circularity,” said Milanuncios PR and content manager Íñigo Vallejo (LinkedIn profile).
“Consumers are aware of this reality; 84% of consumers believe that secondhand is key to sustainable consumption, and this reality is highly relevant in a sector such as clothing, in which fashions change rapidly and garments cease to be used when they are still in very good condition.”