In an age where sustainability meets savvy shopping, the secondhand market is thriving, and small business owners should take notice. Recent insights from eBay’s 2026 Recommerce Report suggest that the trend toward buying and selling used goods is not just a passing phase; it’s a burgeoning market with significant potential for growth—and profit.

According to eBay executives, the average American household contains thousands of dollars in items that can be resold. As Jamie Iannone, eBay CEO, highlighted in a recent interview with USA Today, consumer-to-consumer sales have been the primary driver of eBay’s growth for multiple quarters. Small business owners could harness this trend to their advantage, repositioning themselves as part of a more sustainable shopping ecosystem.

One pivotal aspect of the Recommerce Report reveals a cultural shift, especially among younger generations. “For younger generations, it’s about more than saving money.…