Unwanted Christmas Gifts Enrich the Offering on Ricardo

 A sweater in the wrong size, a book that’s already been read, or a toy that the kids have outgrown? Well-meaning Christmas gifts sometimes don’t create the expected excitement among recipients. Rather than letting these unsuitable, incorrect, or duplicate presents go unused, they find a second life on online marketplaces like Ricardo, with a new happy owner. An analysis by Ricardo shows that from December 26, 2024, to January 5, 2025, 407,900 secondhand items were newly listed, which is about 24% more than during the same period before Christmas. This sharp increase is also likely due to devices that are no longer in use but still functional, such as smartphones, which were replaced by new models over Christmas.

Consumption Frenzy vs. Circular Economy

Unbridled consumer enthusiasm in Switzerland often peaks during the Christmas season. According to Statista, an average person spends CHF 283 on Christmas gifts, regardless of whether the gifts fit or bring joy to the recipient. As a result, many unsuitable gifts quickly end up on Ricardo, where many buyers are delighted by the attractive new inventory that appears after the holidays. Often, an unwanted gift is exactly what someone else has been searching for.

“In addition to the Christmas peak at the end of November, the days after Christmas are traditionally some of the busiest times of the year for Ricardo,” explains Francesco Vass, Managing Director of Ricardo. “More and more Ricardo users are choosing to pass on their unsuitable gifts to someone who will enjoy them more. By giving unused products a new life, they are actively contributing to the Swiss circular economy,” says Vass.