A quarter of Gen Z are decking out their homes with second-hand items, embracing the 'vintage' trend. A survey of 2,000 adults revealed that those aged 18-24 are opting to style themselves and their living spaces with retro and nostalgic pieces. Young adults are also on the hunt for 'unique' second-hand items (35%), as well as sustainable options (44%).
As they're likely to scour charity shops and bargain bins for items they can upcycle and personalise (12%). However, despite a willingness to purchase pre-loved clothes and furniture, the poll by giffgaff found only 36% of adults are inclined to buy second-hand devices. Quality and reliability (63%) were the main concerns, followed by trust in the seller (45%).
Those aged 45-54 were most worried about battery life (47%), while 25-34 year olds were more interested in price compared to the latest gadgets. Only 32% of younger adults buying tech cited warranty and returns policies as a main concern, compared to 42% of people from 45-54. Ash Schofield, CEO of giffgaff , commented: "Our research shows we're a nation that's dedicated to finding and buying pre-loved items, but there's still some nervousness around purchasing refurbished mobile phones.
" "Refurbished is a no-brainer really - good for the pocket, and also good for the planet." The research has unveiled that a hefty 78% of those aged between 65-74 put affordability and value at the top of their shopping lists, but only a modest 58% of young adults aged 18-24 share this st.