Mastercard Report 2026
How affordability, durability and access are accelerating the rise of circular commerce
A new report from Mastercard shows how affordability, durability, and brand trust are shaping consumer behavior and accelerating the rise of circular commerce.
Consumers around the world are rethinking what and how they buy. This report explores the emerging era of conscious consumption, where value for money and personal values increasingly go hand in hand.
Drawing on global consumer insights from the Mastercard Economics Institute, Mastercard’s Global Financial Sentiment Study, and GlobeScan’s Healthy and Sustainable Living research, the analysis highlights how cost pressures, quality expectations, and environmental considerations are reshaping purchasing behaviors. It also examines the growing role of circular models – including resale, rental, repair, and reuse – in meeting these evolving needs.
Key insights:
- Consumers are seeking both value and values: Affordability, longevity, and brand trust remain central to purchasing decisions. At the same time, many consumers are prioritizing options that align with their personal values, including environmental considerations. More than half of consumers say they are willing to choose products that reflect their values, even at a higher cost, with this tendency particularly strong among younger generations.
- Circular commerce is moving into the mainstream: Consumers are increasingly embracing circular behaviors such as buying used, renting, and repairing products – often driven by a combination of affordability and practicality. Secondhand markets are expanding rapidly, and interest in rental and repair models continues to grow, especially among younger consumers. These models offer access, durability, and lower costs without requiring compromise.
- Affordability is driving sustainable choices at scale: While sustainability remains important, financial considerations are a key catalyst for change. For example, many consumers cite price as a primary motivation for purchasing secondhand goods, underscoring how economic and environmental drivers are increasingly aligned
- Infrastructure and innovation are enabling change: The growth of conscious consumption is supported by emerging tools, services, and systems that make lower-impact choices easier, more accessible, and more integrated into everyday life, from payments to resale and return systems
“Sustainable living may have taken root among the environmentally conscious, but today it’s gaining momentum by delivering tangible value everyone can feel, from saving money to accessing better, more durable goods and supporting personal health and well-being,” said Ellen Jackowski, chief sustainability officer at Mastercard. “Circular purchasing behaviors are becoming more mainstream for everyday consumers because the tools and infrastructure to inspire, inform, and enable them are finally emerging.”
The report analysis points to a significant opportunity for businesses. As conscious consumption becomes more mainstream, companies that can deliver affordability, durability, and trust while supporting more sustainable choices are well positioned to meet evolving consumer expectations
Mastercard powers economies and empowers people in 200+ countries and territories worldwide. Together with our customers, we’re building a resilient economy where everyone can prosper. We support a wide range of digital payments choices, making transactions secure, simple, smart and accessible. Our technology and innovation, partnerships and networks combine to deliver a unique set of products and services that help people, businesses and governments realize their greatest potential.
