One in three Italians has admitted to reselling an unwanted gift, with 14% doing so at least once and 20% doing so multiple times. This practice is common across genders, particularly among those aged 25-34 (23%), 35-44 (22%), and 18-25 (18%), often individuals who are well-educated and employed. Birthdays (58%) are the leading occasion for receiving unwanted gifts, followed by Christmas (48%).
The primary reasons for reselling gifts include mismatched personal tastes (37%), already owning a similar item (29%), or simply disliking the gift and not wanting to keep it (28%). Popular categories for resale include clothing, shoes, and accessories (41%), home goods (32%), books and comics (20%), as well as jewelry and watches (20%). These categories also appeal to those who have never resold gifts but may consider doing so in the future.
Online marketplaces and platforms dominate as the go-to channels for reselling unwanted gifts, preferred by 66% of Italians. Moreover, 65% are open to purchasing second-hand gifts, provided the items are in good condition (31%), are rare or hard to find (18%), or because they view it as a sustainable choice (17%).
Regifting is increasingly seen as a practical solution, with 37% of Italians believing it ensures items are put to good use rather than being left unused. Additionally, 36% see it as a sustainable practice that reduces waste and promotes recycling. However, 34% still consider regifting disrespectful to the original giver.
