Circular economy report

Signals, behaviors, and opportunities shaping Cüte's reusability mission in Brazil.

A briefing on the state of resale and circular commerce in Brazil, synthesizing external research with Cüte's pilot learnings.

Executive headlines

Second-hand is the new default purchase consideration for urban Brazilians.
Trusted proximity networks—condominiums, co-ops, resident clubs, and workplaces—are ready-made engines for circulation.
Reuse now pairs climate intent with convenience: instant payments, verified delivery, concierge care.

Metric	Insight
USD 3.6B	Projected size of Brazil's recommerce market by 2025, growing at 12.4% CAGR.
40%	São Paulo residents living in managed multi-unit housing with stewardship structures that can extend to reuse.
82%	Digital payment adoption (PIX) among urban households, enabling seamless peer settlements.
70%+	Consumers citing sustainability as a deciding factor in purchase decisions.
5–10%	Acceptable service fee range cited when safety, storytelling, and logistics are bundled.

Reusability beats novelty: Families choose pre-loved for quality-to-price balance while lowering footprint guilt.
Trust is hyperlocal: Circles anchored in buildings, workplaces, and social clubs outperform anonymous marketplaces.
Concierge convenience wins: People value curated photography, sorting, and pickup even when fees apply.
Speed matters: 85% of items in Cüte pilots sell within 48 hours when pricing guidance and provenance storytelling are present.

Verified circles: Existing vetting mechanisms—building managers, HR teams, club admins—plus Cüte moderation keep listings authentic and respectful.
Narrative listings: Story-first templates surface provenance, care routines, and sizing clarity.
Cute concierge: Optional services for sorting, photography, and coordinated delivery elevate the experience.
Trustworthy settlements: PIX escrow and instant receipts reduce financial risk for both sides.

Waste diversion: Each 1,000 engaged households keep an estimated 1.8 tons of textiles in circulation annually.
Community wealth: Sellers retain 55–65% of resale value while funding new care cycles.
Time saved: Coordinated pick-ups cut average transaction coordination from 5 hours to under 90 minutes per item.
Climate storytelling: Every listing features carbon-saved equivalents, reinforcing mindful habits.

Expand pilots into mixed-use developments, resident clubs, and large employers seeking sustainability perks.
Partner with administrators to bundle Cüte as a circular amenity alongside mobility, recycling, and wellness programs.
Launch "Care Clinics" covering repair, alteration, and storage to extend object lifespans.
Develop circular reputation profiles so members carry trust between communities and across regions.

Onboard 50 additional trusted communities with ambassador programs and concierge upsell scripts.

Publish quarterly reusability dashboards covering waste diversion, resale values, and community sentiment.

Curate success narratives from caretakers and buyers to normalize second-hand pride.

Enhance logistics partnerships to guarantee 48-hour handoffs across core metros.

Cüte keeps remarkable things moving, turning everyday communities into engines of circular prosperity.