In Evanston, Illinois, Play It Again Sports has become a hotspot for parents seeking affordable secondhand sports gear. This store is part of Winmark Corporation, which operates five resale brands, including Plato’s Closet and Once Upon a Child. With a net income of $31.7 million in the first nine months of 2025, the company shows steady performance, though it lags behind the more optimistic forecasts for online resale.
The sports franchise faces stiff competition from digital platforms like eBay, Facebook Marketplace, and OfferUp, where sports gear is already a hot commodity. This trend is expanding into other product categories, driven by inflation, tariffs, and shifting consumer perceptions. OfferUp’s Recommerce 2025 report indicates that 75% of resale involves non-fashion items. The report predicts that secondhand goods will soon make up 8% of all retail sales, with a 34% growth by 2030, reaching $306.5 billion.
Rising Economic Engine
For California Representative Sydney Kamlager-Dove, recommerce is not just a trend but a burgeoning economic engine that provides consumers with affordable, quality goods while offering entrepreneurs and small businesses access to thriving markets. This summer, she joined bipartisan members of Congress to form the Recommerce Caucus, supported by eBay, Poshmark, Etsy, OfferUp, and Depop.
According to Renée Morin, Chief Sustainability Officer at eBay, recommerce has gone mainstream, driven by motivations such as affordability, sustainability, self-expression, and community values. In November, eBay’s Recommerce 2025 report revealed that 81% of its customers are motivated by cost savings, while 68% enjoy giving items a second life.
From Textiles to Children’s Toys
The new online circular economies are following the path of ready-to-wear fashion, where physical retailers often struggle to adapt online. For instance, Goodwill Industries had to shut down its fixed-price site GoodwillFinds. Portals dedicated to children’s toys, sports equipment, furniture, and kitchenware are also experiencing growth. Collectibles dominated eBay’s sales in the third quarter, followed by auto parts, luxury items, refurbished products, clothing, and sneakers.
However, price remains a barrier for many, and compared to other platforms, some options still lack appeal. Additionally, returns of new products are expected to reach 15.8% of sales in 2025, prompting brands and retailers to collaborate with portals to sell open-box products.
