Millions of bargain-hunting Brits prefer buying second-hand goods to new ones

Research revealed the average adult has purchased at least 12 nearly-new bargains over the last 12 months, claiming to feel ‘thrilled’ and even ‘smug’ amid the process.

According to the study, items most commonly purchased in charity shops and via second-hand sites include furniture, books, sports equipment and toys.

School uniforms, baby clothes and art work are also popular products which are given a second lease of life after being snapped up by bargain-hunters.

The report also found one in four of those polled reckon shopping for second-hand goods will soon become more popular among cash-savvy Brits than buying new.

Overall almost nine in 10 adults said they happily buy used items, while one in eight admitted they get more satisfaction from buying second-hand than brand new.

The study comes after many Glastonbury artists donated clothes to Oxfam over the weekend, including Kylie Minogue’s sun visor, in support against ‘throwaway fashion’.

Fee Gilfeather, sustainable fashion expert from Oxfam, which commissioned the research to mark ‘Second-hand-September’, said: “It’s heartening to see how buying second hand makes Brits feel they are doing some good by giving clothes a second chance.

“Not only is it good for the environment, it could see you get a real bargain.

“Shoppers high’ is a feeling everyone loves now and again – that thrill you get when you treat yourself to something new, even if it’s just new to you.

“The challenge we have set is to see if you can go the whole of September without buying any brand new items of clothing to help minimise the amount of things that end up in landfills needlessly every year.

”So if you’re chasing that thrill, second-hand shops are the way to go.”

The study also found in order to make second-hand shopping more accessible, 29 per cent would like to see recycled sections in high street stores.

And one quarter said they would buy more hand-me-down items if there was more available online.

Three in 10 also believe the increase in second-hand shopping is due to the rise of clothing sites and apps.

It also emerged one sixth shop for pre-loved items because they enjoy searching for the perfect item and one in four see it as a chance to buy branded products at cheaper prices.

Additionally a sentimental one in three said they were often keen to know the story behind an item before making a purchase.

The study also found that when it comes to holiday shopping, three in 10 are happy to buy a previously-owned suitcase, while one in five would buy a second-hand handbag for their travels.

Two in 10 would buy t-shirts and one sixth would happily buy a sun dress.

It also emerged we buy on average seven new items before going on holiday and spend around £58 – with one in ten admitting to spending up to £100.

More than one third buy new clothing before a holiday due to replace worn-out or damaged items and three in 10 admitted they do so purely because they find it ‘exciting’.

A further one in 10 even admitted they buy new holiday clothes because they don’t want to be seen in photos wearing the same outfit twice.

However, one quarter of those polled via OnePoll said they do their pre-sunshine break shopping in charity shops due to the fact they will only wear the items once or twice.

Fee added: “Shopping for a summer holiday can be part of the experience for some people – and there’s no reason to feel bad about that.

“Moving away from ‘fast fashion’ not only means you can save some money, but it also saves some of the 11 million items of clothing that end up in a landfill every week.”

ITEMS BRITS ARE HAPPIEST TO BUY SECOND HAND

1. Car
   2. Books
   3. DVD’s
   4. Bike
   5. Dining room table
   6. Wardrobe or chest of drawers
   7. Art work
   8. Video games
   9. Lawn mower
   10. Sports equipment – golf clubs, tennis rackets, hockey sticks
   11. TV
   12. Pet cage
   13. Laptop or tablet
   14. Jacket/Coat
   15. Sofa
   16. Clothing hangers
   17. Phones
   18. Handbag
   19. Suitcases
   20. Children’s toys
   21. Phone/computer charger
   22. Designer goods
   23. Pushchair or pram
   24. Plates, cups or mugs
   25. Fridge
   26. An evening dress for an event
   27. Washing machine
   28. Jeans
   29. T-shirts
   30. Shirts
   31. Children’s clothes (aged 2-15)
   32. Dishwasher
   33. Microwave
   34. Bed
   35. Sports clothes – for skiing or snowboarding etc.
   36. Suit
   37. Holiday clothes
   38. Roller-skates
   39. Cot
   40. Shoes
   41. Ties
   42. School uniform
   43. Hats
   44. Wedding dress
   45. Frying pan
   46. Headphones
   47. Baby grows
   48. Football boots or running shoes
   49. Gloves
   50. Crash helmet

\\Ends