In 2025, small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) are navigating an increasingly unpredictable economic landscape. Inflation is still stubborn, global supply chains remain unstable, and consumer confidence is fragile. To survive — and thrive — many SMBs are turning to recommerce: the resale of pre-owned, returned, or excess goods.
While once seen as niche or supplemental, recommerce has quickly become a strategic pillar for future-ready businesses. It enables cost savings, aligns with shifting consumer values, and opens up new local channels for inventory flow. In many ways, recommerce is not just an opportunity — it’s a necessity.
Recommerce in a Volatile Economy
Economic indicators point to prolonged instability:
Tariffs on imported goods have increased supply costs across industries
Consumer spending has tightened, especially on non-essential goods
Retailers are seeing higher return volumes and unsold inventory
Against this backdrop, recommerce offers a pragmatic solution. Instead of relying on new inventory from overseas, businesses can circulate existing goods already in the market. This approach reduces dependency on uncertain supply chains and helps move stagnant inventory.
From Burden to Business Model: The Case for Secondhand
The 2024 Recommerce Report reveals that 7 in 10 consumers actively seek secondhand options when shopping. The motivations? Affordability, sustainability, and local availability. That means businesses that traditionally focused on new goods now have a chance to:
Turn returned or excess items into profit
Source secondhand inventory at lower cost
Serve a growing audience that prefers value over novelty
Recommerce isn’t just about survival — it can power long-term resilience. It allows SMBs to diversify revenue streams, manage risk, and meet the expectations of today’s more thoughtful, price-sensitive consumer.
Realigning with Consumer Values
Sustainability isn’t a marketing buzzword — it’s a demand. In the same report:
64% of consumers said buying used supports their sustainability goals
58% said they trust businesses more when they promote reuse
48% prefer shopping secondhand if it supports their local economy
SMBs that align with these values have a competitive edge. By offering secondhand goods locally, businesses build loyalty with customers who care about their environmental footprint and their neighborhood economy.
The Shift to Local, Mobile-First Recommerce
Unlike traditional e-commerce, which often favors large national players, recommerce thrives at the local level. Consumers want to see items, ask questions, and pick up in person. This gives SMBs a home-field advantage — especially those who embrace mobile-first platforms that bring their storefronts directly to buyers' fingertips.
Making Recommerce Work for You
Launching a recommerce operation doesn’t require overhauling your business. Start small:
Audit your inventory — What can be resold?
Explore sourcing partners — Consider liquidators, B2B resale exchanges, or community marketplaces
Focus on pricing — Secondhand shoppers expect a deal but still value quality
Choose platforms that prioritize local discovery and trust
Recommerce isn’t just a trend. It’s a viable, scalable solution to some of the biggest challenges facing SMBs in 2025. Businesses that embrace the shift will find new paths to profit, resilience, and customer relevance.
Curious how a mobile-first platform like OfferUp for Business can support your recommerce strategy? Our Storefronts feature helps SMBs build a trusted presence, connect with local buyers, and list inventory on the go.