Most downloaded C2C shopping apps worldwide 2024

In 2024, the leading consumer-to-consumer (C2C) app worldwide was Temu, with over 47 million downloads on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. Another Chinese online marketplace, SHEIN,  ranked second with around  19 million app downloads. Meesho followed with around 17 million app downloads.

Mercado Libre's growing success

Mercado Libre is an Argentine-born online auction marketplace, which operates in 18 countries in South and Central America. The marketplace has enjoyed great success in recent years, with its revenue growing three-fold since 2020, reaching over 14 billion U.S. dollars in 2023. This resulted in the company being named one of the fastest-growing e-commerce companies by revenue worldwide in 2023. That same year, the Mercado Libre website saw a record number of active users, reaching roughly 218 million users. Despite the marketplace's dominance in Latin America, it continues to contend for market share against formidable rivals, such as the e-commerce giant Amazon.

Shoppers mainly want to score a bargain

Although second-hand shopping is significantly more environmentally friendly than purchasing new merchandise, lower prices still serve as the primary motivator for consumers towards C2C shopping. According to a recent consumer survey in France, nearly 70 percent of shoppers opt to buy pre-loved clothing due to its lower prices, while about 50 percent do so due to its sustainability. A similar study conducted in the United States found that around 80 percent of consumers buy and sell pre-owned items online to get a good deal, and roughly 60 percent engage in C2C commerce to avoid higher prices arisen from inflation.