Collecting: a passion of six out of ten Italians

From vintage to digital: collecting is a passion for 6 out of 10 Italians, according to a survey conducted by Ipsos for eBay through online interviews with 3,000 Italians aged between 18 and 65, between 1 and 9 August. What are the trends? The most sought-after items for Gen Z and Millennials are trading cards and action figures. For the over 45s, the fascination with stamps and vinyls is timeless. The Italians, lovers of collecting, are on the hunt for the rare object, the pleasure of keeping a small treasure, the satisfaction of completing a series is part of the passions of 60% of the sample who currently own a collection and 33% had one in the past. Coins and banknotes', 'films and DVDs', trading cards, 'comics and manga' the most popular. This passion conquers men (57%) and women (43%) across the board, with preferences varying according to age. Among the younger generation, the latest collections are very popular: 58% of trading card collectors and 52% of action figure enthusiasts are between 18 and 34 years old. Adults, on the other hand, prefer objects with a vintage feel: 50% of stamp collectors are over 45, 62% of vinyl collectors and 52% of film and DVD enthusiasts. On the other hand, the fascination for comics and manga knows no age and crosses generational boundaries, thrilling admirers from 18 to 65 years of age.

A lot of time and space is devoted to collecting: the favourite collection is on average 7 years old and has about 140 objects. Most collectors devote two hours a week to it and on average each has more than two different types. In economic terms this translates into value: on average each collection is worth around 3,500 euros.

Obviously, digital is one of the channels: 62% of collectors use it to buy new pieces and 42% to sell, with an average annual revenue of EUR 1,165.

For eBay, a global marketplace, attentive to its community, there are 133 million active buyers worldwide, of which more than 4.9 million in Italy. For eBay, collecting is one of the most relevant categories, with steady growth over the years, thanks to a wide range of products on offer. The most sought-after items on eBay are Pokemon cards, objects from the First World War and model trains. "Collectibles is a crucial category for eBay (with double-digit increases in the last two years, ndr), a true ecosystem of passions that we share with our community and want to continue to support," explains Lorenzo Leonardi, Collectibles & Media, Category Manager eBay Italy. "This survey confirms the importance and potential of this sector. We will continue to invest in providing collectors with a marketplace full of opportunities and an increasingly wide and varied offer, to continue to be a dynamic platform and a point of reference for all enthusiasts".

The rarest item purchased on eBay? A Charizard card from the Italian first edition PSA 10-certified basic set, the only one in the world to be rated PSA 10.