How much could you save by shopping second-hand?

A fifth of us plan to embrace bargains this year, according to new research. By Vicky Shaw.

Does buying second-hand save money? (Alamy/PA)

Buying preowned or refurbished items can be a great way to combat soaring prices – and research suggests one in five of us are choosing to buy second-hand this year.

If you’re prepared to hunt around, the savings can be significant.

Credit provider Vanquis recently carried out research looking at 200 listed items from second-hand online marketplace Vinted in March 2023, comparing the cost of preloved items with their recommended retail price (RRP).