Almost half – or 48% – of Lithuanians aged 18–59 buy second-hand goods several times a year. This was revealed by a survey commissioned by parcel delivery company SmartPosti in late August. Including those who purchase used items at least once a year, the figure rises to 71%. This is the highest result among the Baltic countries: in Estonia, 68% of respondents buy second-hand goods at least once a year, while in Latvia – 48%.
“When nearly half of the population regularly choose to buy second-hand goods, this is no longer a niche trend but a significant shift in consumption habits. Lithuanians are consciously choosing to buy used items, which not only saves money but also contributes to responsible consumption,” notes SmartPosti Head of Sales for the Baltics, Justas Januškevičius, who commissioned the survey.
According to him, these figures show that Lithuanians value the usefulness, functionality, and quality of an item rather than simply the fact that it is new.
“Such purchasing decisions are driven by a smart approach to product value, convenient delivery, and the fact that you no longer need to visit a physical store to buy what you want – everything can be ordered online. Buyers also appreciate that among second-hand items, they can find many vintage or luxury products whose original prices are much higher than what second-hand shops or platforms offer,” says J. Januškevičius.
Women, young people, and residents of smaller towns buy second-hand more often
The survey revealed that women, lower-income respondents, residents of smaller towns or rural areas, and younger people aged 18–39 are more likely to buy second-hand goods.
As J. Januškevičius points out, the second-hand market is rapidly growing and gradually becoming mainstream – it attracts not only those looking to save money but also people who support sustainability values.
According to the survey, 48% of Lithuanians regularly buy used goods – at least once every few months. Another 23% do so once or twice a year, and 22% less than once a year. Only 7% of respondents said they never buy second-hand items. The share of those who never buy second-hand has decreased by 2 percentage points since 2023.
When asked to compare their habits with those in 2023, almost half of respondents (49%) said they buy second-hand as often as they did a few years ago. 18% said they now buy second-hand goods more often, while a quarter (25%) said they do so less frequently than two years ago.
“Trading in used goods, both in Lithuania and across the Baltics, has become not only a way to save money but also a form of enjoyable discovery – finding and reviving an item for a new life. These purchases increasingly take place online, with delivery through parcel lockers, driving demand for convenient logistics infrastructure, which is naturally becoming more important,” says SmartPosti representative J. Januškevičius.
Attitudes toward item value are changing
According to J. Januškevičius, the growing purchase of second-hand clothing and goods reflects a broader shift in consumer culture.
“Sustainability is no longer just a trend or a hollow declaration. More and more people are distancing themselves from overconsumption, seeking to reduce waste, and no longer see the purchase of something new as a value in itself. These tendencies are especially evident among young people who actively use online marketplaces, social media groups, and apps that allow not only buying but also selling or exchanging goods,” emphasizes J. Januškevičius.
He adds that second-hand goods today are no longer a forced compromise but a conscious decision – the choice between new and used often depends not on financial circumstances but on personal values.
The survey on the purchase of second-hand goods in the Baltic States was conducted by research company Dentsu on behalf of SmartPosti from August 27 to September 4. It included 742 respondents in Lithuania, 739 in Latvia, and 765 in Estonia, aged 18–59.