Fashion re-commerce: a state-of-the-art review and future research agenda

The study aims to provide a comprehensive review of re-commerce business models in the secondhand fashion sector, identifying key drivers, challenges, and research gaps. As secondhand fashion gains popularity, understanding the evolving landscape of re-commerce is essential for both academics and practitioners. This study employs a systematic literature review approach, analysing peer-reviewed articles and grey literature on fashion re-commerce. An online search was conducted across three academic databases – Scopus, EBSCOhost, and Emerald – selected for their disciplinary coverage and relevance. This study identifies three fashion re-commerce business models, their characteristics, key drivers, and challenges. Key factors driving fashion re-commerce include consumer motivations such as convenience, environmental concerns, and economic value; retailer motivations linked to the financial viability of the business model and sustainability commitments; and the enabling role of technology. Key challenges involve perceived risks in online purchases, supply uncertainty, and operational hurdles. Literature gaps identified in the study inform future research directions. This study contributes to the growing field of fashion re-commerce by exploring its business models, key drivers, and challenges, an area often overlooked in favour of consumer behaviour research.