ThredUp Forecasts $78.8B US Resale Market by 2030 with 7.3% CAGR
ThredUp projects the US secondhand apparel market will grow 7.3% annually to reach $78.8 billion by 2030, outpacing broader apparel growth nearly fourfold in 2025. Gen Z and millennials are set to drive over 70% of resale market expansion, with 46% sourcing finds via social media and 48% using AI tools.
1. Projected US Resale Market Growth
ThredUp’s report forecasts the US secondhand apparel market to reach $78.8 billion by 2030, growing at a 7.3% annual rate. This growth outpaced the broader retail clothing segment nearly fourfold in 2025, signaling robust tailwinds for ThredUp’s core marketplace.
2. Gen Z and Millennial Adoption
Gen Z and millennials are projected to drive over 70% of the resale economy’s expansion through 2030, with the majority of spending coming from new participants. Their preference for sustainable shopping and value-driven purchases positions ThredUp favorably to capture this demographic shift.
3. Social Media and AI Influence
Nearly 46% of resale shoppers discover products through social media feeds, content creators or in-person browsing, while 48% employ AI shopping tools during their purchase journey. This high level of technological engagement highlights opportunities for ThredUp to enhance product discovery and conversion via AI-driven recommendations and social integrations.
4. Competitive Landscape and Retail Trends
Industry data shows an 8.5% year-over-year jump in sales among miscellaneous store retailers, partly driven by secondhand goods, while leading apparel brands are launching in-house resale programs. ThredUp’s established platform and partnerships could help it maintain market share as competition intensifies.