Second-hand shopping is becoming increasingly popular, with new government guidance aimed at helping consumers shop for pre-loved items safely and confidently, while steering clear of counterfeits. Recent statistics reveal that one in four second-hand clothing buyers unknowingly purchased a counterfeit item online in the past year. Alarmingly, one-third of shoppers admitted they don’t verify authenticity before buying, and nearly 60% have faced negative experiences, causing 14% to shy away from second-hand shopping altogether. Young shoppers, particularly, are the most vulnerable: nearly 70% of Gen Z and Millennials engaged in buying second-hand items last year, and around 50% of those aged 18–24 have come across counterfeit goods when shopping for used items. In recent police and Trading Standards raids, over £4 million worth of luxury designer goods were seized in an effort to combat organized counterfeiters across the nation.
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