Yihan Ma
Research expert covering e-commerce and FMCG in Greater China
Second-hand consumer goods in China - statistics & facts
In 2023, China sold approximately 47 trillion-yuan worth of consumer products, making it the world's largest market for consumer goods. The production of such a massive amount of consumer goods has led to tremendous carbon dioxide emissions each year. Additionally, the consequences of excessive shopping are often many unused items at home. In a survey conducted in 2022, more than 95 percent of Chinese consumers admitted to having a fair amount of items no longer in use at home. In response to the rapidly growing environmental concerns, more and more Chinese consumers are willing to trade their unused items in order to reduce their carbon footprint. According to a Statista survey in 2024, nearly half of Chinese consumers have participated into circular economy by buying or selling pre-owned articles.
In 2023, China's second-hand market surpassed 1.3 trillion yuan, increasing significantly compared to 2019. Pre-owned consumer electronics, mainly smartphones, contributed to about 40 percent of China's second-hand sales. According to a survey in 2023, more than 55 percent of pre-owned smartphone buyers in China were male, and consumers from middle-size cities were more likely to purchase second-hand phones than those who reside in metropolises. In contrast, when it comes to second-hand luxury sales, female consumers and those living in larger cities dominate the market. For many of China's young consumers, buying used luxury items is not only for saving money but also to demonstrate their fashion tastes.
China's re-commerce services providers primarily conduct their businesses via C2C and C2B2C modes. Alibaba-owned app Xianyu, also known as Idle Fish, remained China's most popular C2C re-commerce platform. While Zhuanzhuan, jointly funded by Tencent and 58.com, ranked second with about 23 million monthly active users. Additionally, second-hand luxury goods trade platform Plum and Dewu, as well as consumer electronics trade platform ATRenew, were some of China's most popular C2B2C re-commerce platforms.
Used consumer goods trade in China
China has traditionally associated buying used goods with financial insufficiency. Since the 1970s, the country experienced profound economic reforms that helped end poverty throughout a number of towns and villages. At that time, owning brand new products was considered a symbol of affluence and success. Nevertheless, like many of their western peers, younger generations in China have developed a more sophisticated shopping pattern than their parents, including being open to the circular economy.In 2023, China's second-hand market surpassed 1.3 trillion yuan, increasing significantly compared to 2019. Pre-owned consumer electronics, mainly smartphones, contributed to about 40 percent of China's second-hand sales. According to a survey in 2023, more than 55 percent of pre-owned smartphone buyers in China were male, and consumers from middle-size cities were more likely to purchase second-hand phones than those who reside in metropolises. In contrast, when it comes to second-hand luxury sales, female consumers and those living in larger cities dominate the market. For many of China's young consumers, buying used luxury items is not only for saving money but also to demonstrate their fashion tastes.
Re-commerce in China
In China, the rapid development of e-commerce has also allowed consumers to buy or sell second-hand items on online flea markets. As of 2023, approximately 580 million Chinese consumers used re-commerce services, accounting for more than half of the country's online shoppers.China's re-commerce services providers primarily conduct their businesses via C2C and C2B2C modes. Alibaba-owned app Xianyu, also known as Idle Fish, remained China's most popular C2C re-commerce platform. While Zhuanzhuan, jointly funded by Tencent and 58.com, ranked second with about 23 million monthly active users. Additionally, second-hand luxury goods trade platform Plum and Dewu, as well as consumer electronics trade platform ATRenew, were some of China's most popular C2B2C re-commerce platforms.
