Most Germans reportedly embrace second-hand presents, according to a recent Amazon survey, with four out of five individuals expressing enthusiasm for them.
Holiday shoppers in Germany are increasingly opting for second-hand gifts, thanks to their lower environmental impact and cost savings. A new study by OnePoll, commissioned by Amazon, reveals that 78% of Germans are happy with used gifts, with Generation Z shoppers across the country favoring them the most. Nearly half of all respondents (43%) feel better about receiving gifts that are not brand new, while 33% say they can afford items they might not have been able to otherwise.
The environment is a significant factor in the enthusiasm for used gifts. As Sam Littlejohn, head of returns and repairs at Amazon, puts it, "Second-hand items are not only better for the environment but often cheaper too." In fact, people are spending several hours each month to give their old items a new life, a trend led by older Millennials and Generation X.
Shoppers can find sought-after used items on Amazon Renewed, a platform offering products with warranty at discounted prices. Electronics remain popular among second-hand items, with ripped-for-real vacuum cleaners and wireless headphones ranking high. Even non-electronics, like a police station railway, are available used, and many are Climate Pledge Friendly, made from sustainably managed forests and recycled materials.
Interestingly, 85% of surveyed German buyers compare the prices of used items with those of new items when shopping online, demonstrating how Amazon’s return policy helps customers save money while ensuring the lifespan of products. The proportion of buyers scrutinizing prices rises among younger Germans, with 92% of Millennials (25 to 34 years old) and 90% of Generation Z doing so.
As the holiday season approaches, it seems that more people are looking for sustainable and budget-friendly options. Embracing the growing trend, more families might be swapping shiny new gifts for thoughtfully refurbished surprises.
While specific data on the rise in sales of second-hand products on Amazon Germany over the past two years and the trend's popularity among Germans isn't available, the expansion of e-commerce, Germany’s sustainability culture, and Amazon’s market dominance indicate an upward trajectory in the shopping of used goods.
Sources:[1] Statista: Global e-commerce sales expected to reach $4.9 trillion in 2021 [2] Fashion United: Amazon "becoming a dominant player" in the European fashion retail market [3] CNBC: Amazon has reached a market value of $1.7 trillion, becoming the fourth-most-valuable company in the world [4] OnePoll Study commissioned by Amazon [5] The New York Times: Car prices soar in 2021, but used-car values drop [6] Reuters: More cash for the planet? How tech companies are trying to meet climate pledges
Science shows that climate-change mitigation efforts are increasingly important, and environmental-science research supports the idea that second-hand gifts are more sustainable. In fact, Germany's holiday shoppers are gravitating towards used items, as evident in a recent study by OnePoll commissioned by Amazon. Due to their lower environmental impact, many people, especially older Millennials and Generation X, are spending several hours each month to give their old gadgets like smartphones and smart home devices a new life on Amazon Renewed. Even non-electronics, such as Climate Pledge Friendly toys made from sustainably managed forests and recycled materials, are available used on the platform. As more people seek sustainable and budget-friendly options, technology companies and e-commerce platforms like Amazon have an opportunity to make a significant impact on climate change by driving the trend towards used items, which are not only better for the environment and often cheaper, but also extend the lifespan of products.
