New research indicates that Australians could potentially generate nearly $1 billion by selling unwanted gifts this festive season. An average of two unwanted gifts per person was reported by eBay last year, with 52 per cent of Australians having either sold or intending to sell unwanted items this year amidst the ongoing cost-of-living challenges.
Younger generations, particularly Generation Z and millennials, are leading this trend, with 58 per cent of Gen Z and 57 per cent of millennials actively participating. The research highlighted that fashion and tech items were the most common categories for unwanted gifts listed online after Christmas 2023.
Notably, eBay observed four fashion items and one tech gadget being listed every minute. A significant surge was seen in boys’ clothing listings, which spiked by 162 per cent between December 26 and 31 compared to earlier in the month. Other notable increases included girls’ clothing (up 69 per cent), tablets (50 per cent), and smartwatches (45 per cent).
According to Zannie Abbott from eBay Australia, while not every gift may bring joy to its recipient, selling unwanted gifts can bring happiness to others, providing an opportunity to declutter, earn extra cash, and ensure these items are appreciated by someone who will value them.