Industry Statistics and Trends
Market size and recent performance (2013-2028)
Industry revenue has declined at a CAGR of 1.1 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated €2.3bn in 2023.
Trends and Insights
The Corona pandemic had ambivalent effects on the Second-Hand clothing trade
- During the pandemic, part of the industry found itself in a difficult position. Many industry players are located in the city centers of metropolitan areas and rely on walk-in customers, most of whom stayed away due to the exit restrictions. By contrast, industry players operating in online sales were able to profit. To this day, customers appreciate the service of ordering from the comfort of their own homes and having the low-cost second-hand goods delivered to their doorsteps.
- Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Source: IBISWorld
Industry outlook (2024-2029)
Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.
Trends and Insights
Biggest companies in the Second-Hand Clothing Retailers in Germany
| Company | Market Share (%)
2023 | Revenue (€m)
2023 |
|---|---|---|
About You SE & Co. KG | 72.1 | |
Zalando SE | 58.2 | |
Texaid Beteiligungsverwaltung Deutschland GmbH | 55.8 |
To view the market share and analysis for all 6 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.
Products & Services Segmentation
Source: IBISWorld
Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Everyday and casual wear, Occasion wear and Children's clothing. Everyday and casual wear is the largest segment of the Second-Hand Clothing Retailers in Germany.
Trends and Insights
Secondhand sweaters are becoming increasingly popular, especially among the younger generation
- Everyday and casual wear includes, for example, shirts, sweaters, everyday pants, and jackets and coats. This product segment generates the largest share of industry sales.
- More insights available in the full report
Table of Contents
About this industry
Industry definition
The second-hand clothing trade sector deals with the purchase, preparation and resale of used clothing. Since the industry returns products to the commodity cycle that would otherwise drop out, this business model is also called re-commerce. The apparel is marketed through various distribution channels to other retailers, export markets, and directly to consumers.
What's included in this industry?
Everyday and casual wearOccasion wearChildren's clothingCompanies
About You SE & Co. KGZalando SETexaid Beteiligungsverwaltung Deutschland GmbHPurchase this report to view all 6 major companies in this industry.
Related Terms
PEER-TO-PEER (P2P)RE-COMMERCEFAST FASHIONAUGMENTED REALITY/VIRTUAL REALITYIndustry Code
WZ 47 - Second-Hand Clothing Retailers in Germany
Performance
Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.
Analyst insights
The sale of secondhand clothing via online portals is the industry's main growth driver. One advantage for consumers is that they can search online specifically for brands an...
In this chapter (4)
- Current Performance
- Outlook
- Volatility
- Life Cycle
Key metrics
- Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
- Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
- Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
- Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business
Charts
- Revenue, including historical (2013-2022) and forecast (2023-2028)
- Employees, including historical (2013-2022) and forecast (2023-2028)
- Businesses, including historical (2013-2022) and forecast (2023-2028)
- Profit, including historical (2013-2023)
- Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
- Industry Life Cycle
Detailed analysis
- Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
- Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
- Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
- How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.
Products and Markets
Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.
Analyst insight
Everyday wear is the industry's top-selling product group, though occasion wear generates higher sales per garment. Demand for secondhand children's clothing is also high, as...
In this chapter
- Products & Services
- Major Markets
Key metrics
- Largest market segment and value in 2023
- Product innovation level
Charts
- Products & services segmentation in 2023
- Major market segmentation in 2023
Detailed analysis
- Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
- Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
- Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
- Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services
Geographic Breakdown
Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.
Analyst insights
Secondhand stores usually settle in urban centers with a lot of walk-in customers and solvent customers. Therefore, the central and southern regions are the most popular regi...
In this chapter (1)
- Business Locations
Charts
- Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each region
- Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2023
Tables
- Number and share of establishments in each region in 2023
- Number and share of revenue each region accounts for in 2023
- Number and share of wages each region accounts for in 2023
- Number and share of employees in each region in 2023
Detailed analysis
- Geographic spread of the industry across Europe, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
- Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage
Competitive Forces
Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.
Analyst insights
Competition among industry players is moderate. While the industry is highly fragmented, many small retailers operate only locally and there are many opportunities to differe...
In this chapter (4)
- Concentration
- Barriers to Entry
- Substitutes
- Buyer & Supplier Analysis
Key metrics
- Industry concentration level
- Industry competition level and trend
- Barriers to entry level and trend
- Substitutes level and trend
- Buyer power level and trend
- Supplier power level and trend
Charts
- Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2018-2023
- Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart
Detailed analysis
- Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
- Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
- Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
- Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
- Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
- Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
- Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
- Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
- Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.
Companies
Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.
Analyst insights
There are no major players in the secondhand clothing trade industry. Most companies operating in the industry are small and have only one operation and few employees.
In this chapter
- Market Share Concentration
- Companies
- Company Spotlights
Charts
- Industry market share by company in 2019 through 2023
- Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2023
- Overview of About You SE & Co. KG's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2017 through 2023
- Overview of Zalando SE's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2017 through 2023
- Overview of Texaid Beteiligungsverwaltung Deutschland GmbH's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2017 through 2023
- Overview of revenue, market share and profit margin trend for 3 additional companies
Detailed analysis
- Description and key data for About You SE & Co. KG, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for Zalando SE, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for Texaid Beteiligungsverwaltung Deutschland GmbH, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description, key data and performance trends for 3 additional companies
External Environment
Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.
Analyst insights
Net household income in Germany is a key factor in determining whether consumers buy second-hand clothing. Low-income individuals tend to be more likely to shop at thrift sto...
In this chapter
- External Drivers
- Regulation & Policy
- Assistance
Key metrics
- Regulation & policy level and trend
- Assistance level and trend
Charts
- Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2013-2028)
- Assistance historical data and forecast (2013-2028)
Detailed analysis
- Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
- Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
- Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.
Financial Benchmarks
View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time.
Analyst insights
The profit margin is comparatively low in the industry. Many suppliers of second-hand clothing have difficulties to break even, because procurement, preparation and distribut...
In this chapter
- Cost Structure
- Financial Ratios
- Key Ratios
Key metrics
- Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
- Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
- Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
- Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio
Charts
- Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2023
- Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2023
- Investment vs. share of economy
Data tables
- Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2013-2028)
- Revenue per Employee (2013-2028)
- Revenue per Enterprise (2013-2028)
- Employees per Establishment (2013-2028)
- Employees per Enterprise (2013-2028)
- Average Wage (2013-2028)
- Wages/Revenue (2013-2028)
- Establishments per Enterprise (2013-2028)
- IVA/Revenue (2013-2028)
- Imports/Demand (2013-2028)
- Exports/Revenue (2013-2028)
Detailed analysis
- Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability
Key Statistics
Industry Data
Data Tables
Including values and annual change:
- Revenue (2013-2028)
- IVA (2013-2028)
- Establishments (2013-2028)
- Enterprises (2013-2028)
- Employment (2013-2028)
- Exports (2013-2028)
- Imports (2013-2028)
- Wages (2013-2028)
Top Questions Answered
Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.
What is the market size of the Second-Hand Clothing Retailers industry in Germany in 2024?
The market size of the Second-Hand Clothing Retailers industry in Germany is €2.3bn in 2024.
How many businesses are there in the Second-Hand Clothing Retailers in Germany industry in 2023?
There are 11,600 businesses in the Second-Hand Clothing Retailers industry in Germany, which has grown at a CAGR of 1.2 % between 2018 and 2023.
Has the Second-Hand Clothing Retailers industry in Germany grown or declined over the past 5 years?
The market size of the Second-Hand Clothing Retailers industry in Germany has been declining at a CAGR of 1.1 % between 2018 and 2023.
What is the forecast growth of the Second-Hand Clothing Retailers industry in Germany over the next 5 years?
Over the next five years, the Second-Hand Clothing Retailers industry in Germany is expected to grow.
What are the biggest companies in the Second-Hand Clothing Retailers market in Germany?
The biggest companies operating in the Second-Hand Clothing Retailers market in Germany are About You SE & Co. KG, Zalando SE and Texaid Beteiligungsverwaltung Deutschland GmbH
What does the Second-Hand Clothing Retailers in Germany include?
Everyday and casual wear and Occasion wear are part of the Second-Hand Clothing Retailers industry.
Which companies have the highest market share in the Second-Hand Clothing Retailers in Germany?
The company holding the most market share in Germany is About You SE & Co. KG.
How competitive is the Second-Hand Clothing Retailers industry in Germany?
The level of competition is moderate and increasing in the Second-Hand Clothing Retailers industry in Germany.
Related Industries
Widen your competitive advantage with related industries
Competitors
- Clothing & Footwear Wholesaling in Germany
- Clothing Retailers in Germany
- E-Commerce & Online Auctions in Germany
- Search Engines in Germany
Complementors
- There are no industries to display.
International industries
- Used Goods Stores in the US
- Thrift Stores in the US
- Used Goods Stores in Canada
- Antique and Used Goods Retailing in Australia
- Pawn Shops in Australia
View all industries in Germany
Methodology
How are IBISWorld reports created?
IBISWorld has been a leading provider of trusted industry research for over 50 years to the most successful companies worldwide. With offices in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and China, we are proud to have local teams of analysts that conduct research, data analysis and forecasting to produce data-driven industry reports.
Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.
IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.
What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?
Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.
Key data sources in Germany include:
- German Federal Statistics Office (Destatis)
- European Statistics Office (Eurostat)
- United Nations Comtrade
Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.
These sources include:
- Industry and trade associations
- Industry federations or regulators
- Major industry players annual or quarterly filings
Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.
How does IBISWorld forecast its data?
IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.
IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools. We are proud to be the keystone source of industry information for thousands of companies across the world.
Learn more about our methodology and data sourcing on the Help Center.
