This Christmas, gift-giving habits took on a new dimension as many consumers opted to resell unwanted presents instead of keeping them. According to the marketplace Rakuten, December 25 marked a record-breaking 680,000 listings posted at 3 p.m., demonstrating the growing trend of gift redevelopment across France. With predictions indicating 40% of French citizens planned to resell gifts they received, it's clear this phenomenon is gaining traction.
So, why are so many people eager to pass on their unwanted gifts? A variety of reasons influences the decision, with the most common being dissatisfaction with the present, finding it impractical, or simply having received duplicates. The popularity of certain product categories on resale platforms also reflects consumers’ tendencies.
The top items making the rounds include cultural products such as books, video games, music, and DVDs, which accounted for 79% of the sales. On the tech front, high-tech items like TVs, smartphones, and computers represented 12%, and household products rounded off the list at 7%, encompassing appliances and board games.
Further research shows the demographic of resellers is predominantly aged 42 and older, but the interest spans across generations. Last year, the average seller managed to recoup about 100 euros from their reselling efforts. This year, expectations are high as the total could either match or exceed this figure.
Highlighted among the top gifts people were looking to resell were bestsellers like "Houris" by Kamel Daoud, the Goncourt Prize-winning novel, the action-packed game "God of War" for PS5, AirPods Pro 2nd generation, Chanel No. 5 perfume, and the classic board game "Connect Four." These items reflect not just consumer preference but the shifting attitudes toward the reuse of gifts.
Yet, not everyone is on board with the resale trend. A significant 29% of the French public remain hesitant due to feelings of guilt associated with selling Christmas gifts. Nevertheless, professionals like neuroscientist and speaker Erwan Devèze observe this cultural shift: "The French are currently resolving the cognitive dissonance between the sacred nature of Christmas and the act of reselling gifts. Many no longer see opposition between celebrating Christmas with family and adopting practical behaviors such as purchasing second-hand gifts or reselling items received."
This shift is buttressed by declining purchasing power and the increased ease of selling through dedicated platforms. Notably, 50% of the French expressed intentions to give refurbished or second-hand gifts this season, and over half have successfully sold unwanted gifts, marking a 10% rise from 2020 data.
It seems clear: the practice of gift resale is not just a temporary trend but may indicate broader changes in consumer attitudes toward sustainability, practicality, and economic realities.
With changing consumer attitudes and the growing acceptance of second-hand items, reselling Christmas gifts could well become the norm rather than the exception. The data suggests many are ready to embrace these shifts as part of their holiday celebrations, integrating sustainability with holiday cheer. Time will tell if this post-Christmas bustle will continue lasting patterns or simply reflect immediate economic pressures.
