U.S. Luxury Resale Market Forecast 2025–2030: Growth & Category Trends

Luxury resale has moved from the sidelines into the spotlight. What was once seen as a niche for bargain hunters or vintage devotees is now central to the way people all over the world shop for luxury. Analysts project that the U.S. luxury resale market—spanning handbags, shoes, jewelry, and accessories—will nearly double in size by 2030. This projected growth will likely driven by rising retail prices, consumer focus on sustainability, and the investment appeal of luxury goods.

Market Forecast: Where the Numbers Point

According to recent forecasts, the U.S. secondhand luxury sector was valued at about $8.1 billion in 2024, and is expected to almost double to ~$15 billion by 2033, growing at a compound annual rate of roughly 7–8%. Globally, the resale market is expanding at an even faster rate, projected to top $37 billion in 2025 with annual growth near 9–10%.

For shoppers, this isn’t just about numbers. It signals a major cultural shift: resale is no longer a compromise—it’s increasingly becoming the first choice for those who want access to timeless bags, statement shoes, and hard-to-find accessories.

Category Breakouts: What’s Driving the Boom

Handbags: The Crown Jewel of Resale

• Iconic classics like the Chanel Classic Flap, Louis Vuitton Speedy, and Hermès Kelly & Birkin continue to lead the market with respect to both sales and ROI.

• Repeated price increases at retail boutiques have only reinforced resale strength: Chanel’s classic flaps are now over $11,000 in Chanel boutiques, while Hermès Birkins regularly sell for multiples of their original boutique price on the secondhand market.

• Investment takeaway: Classic bags remain the safest category for holding or growing value.

Shoes: Rising Star of the Secondary Market

• Designer shoes, once thought of as “fast depreciators,” are starting to hold value in select styles silhouettes. Think Hermès Oran sandals, Gucci loafers, Chanel ballet flats, and archival sneakers from luxury houses.

• Limited releases and collaborations (like Dior x Nike Air Jordan) have proven that footwear can rival handbags in hype, demand, and pricing power.

Accessories: The Smart Entry Point

• Wallets, belts, and small leather goods are gaining traction with their more accessible price points, as more younger shoppers step into luxury resale.

• Pieces with recognizable logos, iconic hardware, or textured finishes (like croc-embossed or suede) punch above their weight in terms of resale desirability. Variations of the Hermès Constance belts & smaller Louis Vuitton wallets are always in-demand.

• Lower entry price points make this category a gateway for newer luxury buyers, and these buyers often end up being cross-sold into other categories like handbags and ready-to-wear over time.

Why Enthusiasts Should Care

• Access to Icons: For many collectors, resale is now the only realistic way to acquire certain models or finishes, particularly in Hermès and Chanel.

• Value Retention: Strategic buyers see resale as a way to hedge against constant retail price hikes. Buying pre-owned can mean paying less than current boutique prices, as well as the potential to resell later at little or no loss.

• Sustainability & Provenance: Increasingly, enthusiasts want to know the story behind their pieces. Resale provides both a sustainable alternative and, often, richer provenance than a new boutique purchase.

Investment Value Snapshot (2025 Baseline)

Looking Ahead to 2030

By the end of the decade, luxury resale in the U.S. is likely to be almost as normalized as buying new. Younger generations are already comfortable mixing boutique and pre-owned. And as prices climb, the “savvy luxury shopper” narrative is only going to grow stronger.

For enthusiasts, this is a golden era: more inventory, more transparency, and more opportunity to treat luxury not just as consumption, but as curation—building collections that carry both emotional and financial value.