Why re-commerce is growing in Poland

The growth of re-commerce isn't due to a single factor. It's the result of several processes happening simultaneously: consumers want to shop more sensibly, companies are looking for ways to recover value from returns, and logistics are becoming increasingly flexible and accessible. Furthermore, in many categories (especially electronics and home furnishings), the price difference between new and refurbished products can be so significant that customers are starting to consider re-commerce a "normal" alternative, rather than a backup plan.

It's worth noting that re-commerce is maturing: expectations for quality, condition description, warranties, and after-sales service are rising. While "second-hand" transactions were once associated primarily with advertising and risk, today's customers expect a process similar to purchasing from an online store: easy delivery, predictable returns policies, and clear information about exactly what they're buying.

What drives demand: savings, responsibility and convenience

• Budget and smart shopping – growing price awareness makes buyers more willing to look for “bargains”, but without sacrificing quality.
• Responsible consumption – some customers choose used or refurbished items because they want to extend the product life cycle and reduce waste.
• Greater transaction certainty – development of condition assessment standards (A/B/C), better logistics and payment tools reduce entry barriers.

Categories where re-commerce has the greatest potential

Re-commerce isn't growing equally in every segment. Each category has its own specifics: clothing is valued differently, electronics differently, and furniture yet differently. From the perspective of companies in the digital world, it's important that re-commerce is no longer solely about fashion and is entering higher-value basket areas.

Fashion and accessories

This remains the most popular re-commerce segment because it's easily scalable: products are relatively easy to store and ship, and uniqueness and trends are also a strong factor. For brands and platforms, this translates into pressure to deliver quickly: customers want to see real photos, a clear description of the condition, and immediate availability. In practice, those who can efficiently receive goods, evaluate them, prepare them for sale, and quickly list them gain an advantage.

Electronics and refurbished products

Electronics are growing, but they also require higher levels of trust. Customers want savings, but they also need security: a guaranteed service life, clear return policies, and often information about repair options. One source we analyzed indicates that these elements are crucial for many buyers (e.g., the expectation of quality guarantees and repair options). 

This sends a clear message to online stores: if you want to sell refurbished electronics, price alone isn't enough. The process must be designed so that customers feel confident in their purchases: they have a clear standard of condition, understand what the warranty covers, and understand how returns work.

Furniture and dimensions

Furniture has enormous potential, but it's a category with significant logistical barriers. Shipping bulk, the risk of damage, transportation costs, and the need for proper packaging mean that re-commerce in this segment requires a different infrastructure and different shipping contracts than traditional parcel delivery. On the other hand, it's an area where customers increasingly treat home furnishings as a design element that can be replaced more frequently than before, which increases supply on the secondary market.

Niche categories: sports, education, hobbies

Growth is also visible in less obvious categories: sports equipment, educational toys, books, and entertainment. Generational differences also emerge in the data – younger shoppers are more likely to use online re-commerce, with convenience of purchase, transparency of offerings, and speed of the process becoming key factors. 

Re-commerce logistics

The biggest change is happening in logistics. Re-commerce isn't just about "selling used goods." It's about a whole chain of activities that must be completed to make a product suitable for resale: acceptance, inspection, decision on refurbishment or repair, cleaning, assembling accessories, re-pricing, preparing descriptions and photos, warehousing, and finally shipping. In practice, this means additional operating costs, but also the possibility of recovering value that would otherwise be lost.

Quality control and product preparation areas

In re-commerce logistics, the role of "quality zones" is growing: places where goods are assessed, sorted, and qualified for further processing. Some products go straight to sale (e.g., ex-display items), others require refurbishment, and others require repairs or additions. This is a completely different process than the typical "warehouse receipt" process in an online store, where new products have repeatable parameters.

Reverse logistics as a cost and advantage

Re-commerce thrives where returns are quick and predictable. The problem is that reverse logistics can be costly: more operations, more checks, a higher risk of damage, and often a greater number of customer service contacts. At the same time, this is precisely the area that can become an advantage: companies that can shorten the "return to resale" time recover their money faster and reduce storage costs.

Storage and the "uniqueness" of the assortment

In the traditional digital world, warehouses operate on repeatable SKUs. In re-commerce, each item can be different: different condition, different signs of use, incomplete sets, different levels of refurbishment. This requires better labeling, more accurate processes, and systems that can handle variations in condition and price. Without this, errors occur: incorrect pricing, poor descriptions, misaligned customer expectations, and increased returns.

What re-commerce is changing in online stores and marketplaces

For online stores, re-commerce isn't just a new category on the menu. It's a shift in the entire "sales system": from how we describe products to how we manage post-sales service. If a company does it well, it can build a new revenue stream and better monetize returns. If it does it poorly, it risks diminishing trust and costly complaints.

Standard of condition description and transparency

In re-commerce, the winner isn't the one who writes "like new," but the one who describes honestly: what's visible, what's missing, what's been refurbished, and what isn't. The customer accepts signs of use, as long as this is clearly stated. In practice, it's worth implementing a simple scale (A/B/C) and a checklist of items you always describe, such as completeness of accessories, marks on the casing, battery condition, packaging condition, and functional testing.

Warranty, service, returns

In the electronics and more expensive home furnishings segments, warranties and clear procedures build trust. If an online store sells refurbished products, it should clearly demonstrate the warranty coverage, duration, service coverage, and returns policy. This reduces the number of disputes and reduces pre-purchase uncertainty.

Technology and process integration

Re-commerce scales faster when the process is supported by systems such as WMS/OMS, automated pricing, inspection workflows, and the ability to create offers based on standardized condition attributes. If you're interested in this direction, we've collected practical materials on solutions and technology in the Digital World: Technologies and Solutions .

Benefits for companies and customers if the process is well-organized

Re-commerce makes business sense when a company has control over the process. Otherwise, the costs of inspections, repairs, storage, and returns can eat into potential margins. On the other hand, with proper implementation, tangible benefits emerge.

• Recovering value from returns – goods do not have to end up as a deep discount or loss.
• New customer segment – ​​some buyers will not buy a new product, but will buy a refurbished one.
• Better inventory turnover – quick “second life” means less inventory backlog.
• Strengthening the image of a responsible brand – circularity communication is more credible when there is a real program behind it.

Practical tips for companies

How to implement re-commerce in an online store step by step

1. Choose one category to start.
   Start with products that are easy to evaluate and prepare for sale. The pilot allows you to calculate costs and determine a realistic margin.
2. Set a product condition standard.
   Introduce an A/B/C scale, mandatory descriptions, and a minimum of photos so the customer immediately understands what they are buying.
3. Design operational paths
   : Receipt → Inspection → Decision: Sale / Refurbishment / Repair / Parts. Without this, chaos ensues and errors increase.
4. Ensure the "return to offer" timeframe.
   Establish an SLA for inspection and listing. Every day in the warehouse represents a cost and the risk of a reduced offer attractiveness.
5. Establish warranty and return policies
   . Transparency is key for refurbished products. Clear policies reduce disputes and improve conversions.
6. Check the logistics of the dimensions.
   If you're dealing with furniture or large household appliances, consider transport, packaging, and the risk of damage. This often determines profitability.
7. Do not mix offers without labels.
   New and refurbished products should be clearly marked so that the customer does not feel misled.
8. Strengthen your program communication.
   Re-commerce works better when the customer knows it's a permanent part of the offer and not a "random returns sale."

If you need support in profitability analysis, process organization, or technology selection, check out our services – we help companies translate digital world trends into real implementations.

What's Next: Why Re-Commerce Will Become More Important

Re-commerce will gain ground in the coming months as the entire ecosystem matures: consumers are becoming accustomed to buying used items online, companies are implementing buyback and refurbishment programs, and logistics operators are investing in returns management. The key will be whether companies can establish a standard of quality and integrity that maintains customer trust. In re-commerce, a single "mistake" (a product not as described) can cost more than several successful transactions, as it damages reputation.

In practice, the winners will be brands and online stores that develop re-commerce as a permanent sales channel: with its own rules, its own description language, customer service support, and a logistics process tailored to the specifics of its products. This isn't an add-on, but a separate operational line that needs to be quantified, tested, and standardized.