Nearly three-quarters of Romanians (74%) have bought used clothing in the past three years, and more than half have also purchased used furniture, electronics, or appliances. The data comes from a study conducted by ING Consumer Research and Ipsos in April 2026 across six European countries, which analyzes how Europeans buy, sell, and perceive used products.
For Romanians, choosing used products is primarily a financial decision. Thirty percent say they choose used clothing because of the more affordable price, and the desire to spend less is another important reason. However, used purchases do not necessarily replace new products. In fact, 36% of those who say they have bought more used clothing in recent years reported that, during the same period, they also increased their purchases of new items.
“The study shows that more and more Romanians are looking for ways to use their resources more efficiently without giving up the things that matter to them. Used products are part of this shift. For some, they’re a way to save money; for others, a choice that reduces waste. Most of the time, they’re both. It’s a simple example of the circular economy, which starts with everyday actions. At the same time, the openness toward collection and resale programs shows that there is interest in consumption models that preserve the value of products for longer,” says Corina Miloș, Head of Research at ING Bank Romania.
Interest in used goods is already widespread in Romania and, in many cases, is growing as people gain confidence in this shopping experience. Among Romanians who have bought such products in the last three years, 43% say they buy used children’s clothing more often, and 37% buy used adult clothing more frequently. This trend is also evident in other product categories. Even when it comes to purchases that typically require more careful consideration, such as home appliances and electronics, about 3 in 10 respondents say they have started choosing used options more often.
However, there are still reservations about used products. While, at the European level, many consumers say they do not buy such products simply because they do not need them, in Romania the reasons are primarily related to trust. For clothing, the main concerns relate to hygiene, cited by up to 23% of respondents. In the case of electronics and home appliances, concerns center mainly on possible hidden defects (23%) and the product’s condition, specifically its quality and degree of wear and tear (17%).
The circular economy often begins right within one’s immediate circle. For 60% of Romanians, the first option when they no longer wear certain clothes is to give them to friends or family. This way, the items have a longer lifespan. Europeans, however, place greater value on old clothes on average, and 44% of them choose to sell the clothes they no longer use and then drop them off at collection points.
The data shows that there is already interest in circularity. Nearly 6 out of 10 Romanians believe that programs through which brands collect and resell clothing are a good solution for reducing waste. Nearly 6 out of 10 also say they would like to see more companies launch such programs.
