Retail shopping habits have shifted in the past few years due to the rise of E-commerce. Consumers are gravitating toward the convenience and endless options that come with online shopping. In fact, 23% of retail purchases will happen online by 2027.

But that’s not the only major change that has happened in retail. Gen Z shoppers are showing an increasing interest in buying secondhand goods. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 62% of Gen Z consumers look for secondhand options before purchasing brand-new goods. This is due in large part to this generation’s environmental concerns.

Environmentally Friendly Shopping

Thrift shopping reduces the volume of materials previously destined for the landfill by giving them a second life. As more consumers move toward secondhand shopping, the number of brand-new items being manufactured will decrease. This platform allows Goodwill to maximize the sale which provides more opportunities to support our mission.

Gen Z isn’t the only group interested in sustainability. According to recent research:

  • 80% of U.S. shoppers say they have increased their sustainability practices in the last five years
  • 44% of global shoppers say they are more likely to buy from brands with a clear commitment to sustainable practices
  • 74% of consumers will pay more for sustainable packaging

One-of-a-Kind Goods

Shoppers under 27 years old also take pride in finding one-of-a-kind vintage items. Research shows that “Zoomers” have a love for nostalgia, even for times they weren’t alive to experience. These young shoppers like the story and history that comes with their secondhand purchases.

According to Capital One Shopping:

  • Zoomers are 10% more likely to buy secondhand than other age groups
  • If you go into a Gen Z’s closet, you’ll find two out of five items are vintage
  • 82% of Gen Z shoppers consider resale value of an item before they buy it – so not only are they buying secondhand, they are also planning to resell items when they are finished with them

How E-Commerce Supports Thrifting and Sustainability

As we add 28,000 square feet to our E-commerce operations at Goodwill of Central Iowa’s headquarters, we are creating more opportunities for both local and national shoppers to find unique pre-loved goods, from clothing to cookware to furniture and so much more. Our E-commerce platform (ShopGoodwill.com) will prevent thousands of items from being thrown away and ending up in a landfill.

While the ShopGoodwill.com website provides the space for shoppers to procure their thrifted finds, our expanded headquarters will provide the space to house, pack, and ship items. Our new shipping and handling space will have equipment and materials that allow us to prioritize sustainability, with a goal to be carbon neutral or carbon negative in our operations.