Circular economy in practice: The influence of second-hand stores on used electronics consumption in Japan and Germany

This study examines consumer purchase intention for second-hand electrical and electronic equipment in Japan and Germany, focusing on attitudinal drivers in addition to the accessibility of physical stores. Two web-based surveys (n = 600 and n = 866) collected data on consumer perceptions and the proximity of second-hand retailers. Regression analyses show that perceived benefits and risks significantly correlate with purchase intention, with notable differences between the two countries. The availability of physical second-hand stores plays a key role, while expected benefits of physical shopping environments had limited impact. German consumers were found to purchase second-hand electronic equipment at a significantly higher rate compared to their Japanese counterparts. The study contributes to circular economy research by combining subjective perceptions with reported infrastructural data, offering a more integrated model of reuse behavior. Findings have practical implications for policy and retail, highlighting the importance of local accessibility and consumer trust. While grounded in high-income contexts, the methodological approach can inform future research in emerging economies and other product domains. • German consumers reportedly bought 5x more used EEE than Japanese consumers over the past five years. • Japanese prefer physical stores; Germans favor online platforms for second-hand EEE purchases. • Store availability significantly predicts purchase intention, especially in Germany. • Perceived risks/benefits are key psychological drivers of second-hand purchase intention in both countries. • Combining attitudinal factors with infrastructural context offers a novel framework for understanding circular consumption.