What Is Recommerce?
Recommerce is the buying and selling of pre-owned, refurbished, or resold products through organised channels. Learn why it is growing rapidly.
Key Takeaways
- Recommerce formalises the resale of pre-owned goods through online platforms, marketplaces, and brand-operated programmes.
- It is driven by consumer demand for sustainability, affordability, and value retention.
- Africa has a long tradition of resale markets, and digital platforms are now formalising this economy.
What recommerce means
Recommerce — short for reverse commerce — refers to the organised resale of previously owned products through online or offline channels. It includes second-hand goods sold as-is, refurbished products restored to working condition, and certified pre-owned items with warranties. Unlike informal resale, recommerce operates through structured platforms with quality standards, grading systems, and buyer protections that build trust and scale.
Why it is growing
Three forces drive recommerce growth. First, sustainability: consumers increasingly prefer buying used goods to reduce waste. Second, affordability: pre-owned products offer significant savings, particularly for electronics and fashion. Third, value recovery: sellers can recoup a portion of their original investment. The global recommerce market is projected to grow faster than traditional retail, with electronics, fashion, and furniture leading adoption.
Recommerce in Africa
Africa has deep cultural roots in resale — from Kantamanto market in Accra to second-hand clothing markets across East Africa. Digital platforms are now formalising these economies. Jiji, OLX, and Facebook Marketplace handle millions of peer-to-peer transactions. Refurbished phone markets are thriving in Lagos and Nairobi, where devices from companies like Badili offer affordable smartphones with warranties, expanding digital access across the continent.
Building a recommerce operation
Successful recommerce requires reliable grading systems so buyers understand product condition, efficient reverse logistics to collect and process returns, and refurbishment capabilities where applicable. Pricing algorithms that account for age, condition, and market demand are essential. Start with a focused product category where you can develop expertise in quality assessment, then expand once your grading and logistics processes are proven.