Vinted is now the third-largest fashion retailer in the UK, behind Primark and Next, according to Retail Week. Rising from fourth place in 2024, the preloved marketplace has grown rapidly since its launch in the UK in 2014. It reported revenues of €813.4m in its latest financial results for 2024, a 36% increase from the previous year (€596.3 million), and a net profit of €76.7 million. Data shows Vinted is on track to surpass €1 billion in revenue this year – signifying a real shift in how Europe views circular fashion.
The UK is one of Vinted’s largest and most active markets, with over 17.4 million users, but the platform is also strong elsewhere in Europe. In France, as of Q1 2025, Vinted was the top clothing retailer by volume, surpassing Amazon and Kiabi. Germany, where sustainability is a key consumer priority, is another high-growth market, and Vinted maintains a strong presence in Italy and Spain. The company has also recently expanded into Croatia, Greece, and Ireland.
The secret of its success
Vinted’s success lies in meeting both cost-of-living pressures and eco-consciousness. The platform enables consumers to buy affordable clothing sustainably, offering a more eco-friendly version of the ‘Lipstick Effect’ by allowing budget-conscious shoppers to treat themselves. Access to high-end items at low prices is an additional benefit.
“Vinted has won the hearts of consumers across Europe – leading against not only other resale platforms but the broader suite of mass market fashion brands on value for money, product relevance, ease of shopping, fun and sustainability,” said second-hand fashion expert Olivia May, Partner at OC&C Strategy Consultants.
“As of our previous research, consumers continue to love the monetary incentives of 2H – both making money through selling, and saving money through buying; treasure hunting, detoxing and sustainability consciousness continue to be secondary factors,” she added.
Younger consumers are the primary drivers of the preloved marketplace globally. According to eBay – whose data revealed that Brits are the most active second-hand shoppers in the world – 59% of Gen Z and 56% of Millennials plan to increase their spending on second-hand goods this year. With less disposable income than older generations, younger consumers are also more likely to support values-driven brands. According to Givsly’s May 2025 report The Rise of Conscious Consumers, 79% of Gen Z would pay more for brands that align with their values.
Should retailers get on board?
Vinted’s continued growth in Europe shows that circular fashion is not a bubble. Indeed, May describes Vinted’s success as “a structural shift in the market.” However, despite a 28% value CAGR in the UK from 2019 to 2025, she cautions that retailers considering a move into second-hand must approach it strategically, as success is not guaranteed.
“The brands that have developed profitable second-hand revenue streams (eg Dr Martens, Levi’s, Patagonia) are typically of an upper-mid-market+ pricepoint with sufficient margin buffer and meaningful resale value, have been proactive in adding value in the ‘centre’ of the second hand transaction (refurbishment, resizing, rejuvenating), have created some degree of customer ‘lock in’ to support longer term CLTV growth, and have partnered up and down the value chain to minimise cost and complexity,” May stated.
What’s next for Vinted?
Vinted is focused on expansion, including growth within the USA, and is investing in its logistics business, Vinted Go, and its payments business, Vinted Pay. Vinted Go offers a network of lockers and pick-up-drop-off points to improve and sometimes reduce shipping costs. It is widely used in France and the Netherlands and is expanding into Spain and Portugal. Vinted Pay, launched in Lithuania, aims to streamline payments and will expand across the Vinted ecosystem.
Vinted’s rise isn’t just about the success of one preloved platform; it marks a deeper shift in how Europeans think about fashion, value, and sustainability. As consumers increasingly juggle financial pressures with the desire to shop more responsibly, Vinted has positioned itself squarely at that intersection, offering affordability without compromising ethics. Its cross‑market momentum, expanding logistics ecosystem, and resonance with younger, values‑driven shoppers signal that circular fashion is becoming a structural force, not a passing trend.
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