With shifting consumer attitudes and a growing emphasis on sustainability, buying and selling pre-owned items has become a lifestyle. However, SMU Associate Professor of Marketing Hannah Chang noted that while each pre-owned item in unique, quality can vary greatly, making trust and consistency key challanges. Unlike new products with standardised quality, second-hand goods often suffer from mismatched expectation between buyers and sellers. Assoc Prof Chang highlighted the need for strong trust systems and market mechanisms to support the sector's growth. She also pointed out that women often resell clothing due to fast-changing fashion trends, while collectors may trade duplicate hobbyist toys like last year's popular Labubu blind boxes. Children's toys, outgrown quickly, are commonly passed on for further use.
